Pro soccer laces 'em up for Hawai'i match in '05
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i soccer fans rejoice.
| Aloha Soccer Cup
For details about the match, visit www.alohasoccercup.com. Organizations, teams, clubs and associations interested in participating in a fund-raiser can receive up to half of every ticket they sell. Those interested must go to the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand Oct. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. |
Named the "Aloha Soccer Cup," the preseason match will be played Feb. 26, 2005, at Aloha Stadium. It is hosted by the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association, the L.A. Galaxy of Major League Soccer, and the Hawai'i Soccer Federation.
"The event will only increase the already high interest in soccer in Hawai'i because it will expose our younger players to the highest level of talent," HHSAA executive director Keith Ame-
miya said.
The last time a professional soccer match was played here was in 1977, when Hawai'i had a pro team called Team Hawai'i.
In 1976, nearly 22,000 fans attended an exhibition match at Aloha Stadium involving the greatest soccer player ever — Pele.
Soccer's popularity in Hawai'i has grown since. In the mid-1970s, about 200 players were in youth leagues; now nearly 30,000 players are registered.
Organizers hope they all turn out for the event, in what they say is a long-term commitment with the Galaxy. Plans are in the works for a 2006 match.
"If I had the opportunity growing up to go to a professional MLS game in Hawai'i, I definitely would have," said Brian Ching, of the San Jose Earthquakes, the only player from Hawai'i playing in Major League Soccer.
"It gives kids opportunities to see what the next level is, whereas, when I was growing up, there was the (semi-professional) Tsunami, but I think this is a level higher."
Katrina Chong, a junior on Hilo High's soccer team, doesn't know the names of many pro soccer players, but she lights up at the mention of Adu, who, at age 14, became the highest-paid player in MLS at $500,000 a season.
"Oh yeah!" said Chong, who said she would fly to O'ahu to watch a match.
Advertiser library photo • November 2001
"It's inspiring and you get to see the level of play and compare yourself to them," Chong said.
Fifteen-year-old Freddy Adu and his D.C. United teammates will play the Los Angeles Galaxy here in February in the "Aloha Soccer Cup." Both teams will hold weeklong training camps here before the match.
Tickets are expected to cost $20 for general admission and $28 to $48 for reserved seating. Dates and locations for ticket sales will be announced later.
"The game allows them to see how fast it really is and how physical it really is," Ching said. "You don't get the true reality of the game when you're watching TV."
The match is a coup for Hawai'i soccer, which has enjoyed one of its greatest years.
On the national scene, Ching was named to the MLS All-Star game and played in three World Cup qualifying matches, and University of Hawai'i junior forward Natasha Kai was selected as a member of the U.S. Under-21 Women's National Team.
On the recreational level, the Honolulu Soccer Club Bulls '85 boys team captured Hawai'i's first U.S. Youth Soccer Association national title, Real Hawai'i Futbol Club Copa '92 girls captured the national title in the U.S. Club Soccer National Championships, and two adult teams won championships in the National Veterans Cup.
"Many of the youth soccer clubs are becoming more sophisticated, and that translates to more opportunities for the kids," said Blane Shepard, L.A. Galaxy director of Fan Development and Special Projects, pointing to players such as Ching.
"We're hoping this can start a relationship with local soccer coaches, where we can know of a local soccer phenom we can keep an eye on. The kids need to know they have something to play for."
The Galaxy and United will participate in weeklong closed-session training camps in Hawai'i before the match.
It will be the first time any MLS team has trained here. Most MLS teams hold their preseason camps in Florida, with quick stops in Europe or South America.
The MLS season starts in April.
The teams share half of the eight championships in MLS history, with United winning three.
"The team is very much looking forward to holding a portion of our spring training in Hawai'i," said Doug Hicks, D.C. United vice president of communications. "D.C. United is at the forefront of a burgeoning soccer movement in America, and we look forward to taking our team to Hawai'i and sharing our brand with the soccer fans of Hawai'i."
AEG, or Anschutz Entertainment Group, owns the Galaxy and United, as well as MLS teams San Jose Earthquakes, Chicago Fire, and New York/New Jersey Metrostars.
It owns "American Idol" and concert promoter Goldenvoice, and is a minority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
"I really think it gives Hawai'i an identity when it comes to youth soccer," Shepard said, calling it a "grassroots pilgrimage for youth soccer."
Although the Earthquakes, with Ching and star Landon Donovan, might have been a bigger draw, organizers said it couldn't be worked out.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
