A Few Words With: February 2010 Archives

I chatted (briefly) to USMNT striker Brian Ching just as the team broke camp this weekend at Home Depot Center.

Question: How are you approaching this camp in a World Cup year when you are probably one of those players on the bubble to make the squad?
Answer: Any time you come into a camp where you're going to play a game for the national team you're always kind of being evaluated and judged. This camp is no different. Yes, it is a World Cup year, but I think throughout this camp I wanted to kind of get back into shape, get back into soccer fitness. And I felt that I did that - I'm coming together slowly - I don't think I'm exactly where I want to be just yet, but I'm hoping I get there by the beginning of our season first of all and then carry that through to the World Cup.

Q: What do you think you need to do to make the World Cup squad?
A: Score goals. Do the things I do, well. Help the team win. For me the biggest thing is not to try to do too much. Play within my means. Work hard both offensively and defensively, create chances and score goals. It's simple to say that and it basically comes down to that.

Q: How are you feeling physically?
A: I'd say I'm 75 to 80 percent. I'm getting closer (to match fitness). This camp really helped me out. The off-season this year was great for me. It gave me a long break and I kind of got that hunger and desire back, because that was a long couple of years with not much rest. ... I needed that little bit much longer of a break from soccer. And I used that time to work out with a buddy at a gym, try to get a litlte bit quicker, a little bit stronger, prepare my body for this year and a World Cup.

Also:

*Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers has the quote of the week:

"My dad doesn't know a thing about soccer and he's never played a minute in his life, but using my left foot was one thing he always wanted me to work on. We'd go to the park and he would just throw the ball to me and I'd use only my left foot."

Ouch.

Complete interview here.

*Much more about Galaxy training Monday than you ever wanted to know.