Even after nearly a month away from the league, Hale'iwa's Brian Ching was recognized as one of Major League Soccer's top players.

The 1996 Kamehameha Schools graduate was selected to the 18-player roster for the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game.

The MLS All-Stars will face English Premier League champions Chelsea FC on Aug. 5 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The game will be televised live on ESPN at 12:30 p.m. Hawai'i time.

"It's exciting; it's always a great honor to be on the All-Star team," Ching said. "I'm looking forward to the festivities and participating in a game against Chelsea."

Ching, a forward for the Houston Dynamo who recently returned to the league from the World Cup in Germany, was selected to the team by All-Star coach Peter Nowak, the head coach of D.C. United. It is the second time Ching was selected to the All-Star squad.

Ching's first selection was in 2004, when he was selected as a starter in a vote by fans, media, players, coaches and general managers. Ching scored in that game.

This time, he was chosen as a replacement for one of three players who were voted to the First XI, or starting squad, but are not available for the game.

Ching admitted it would have been nice to have the time off after playing almost non-stop since January.

But Chelsea is "probably one of the best teams in the world," and, he said, "it's going to be fun."

Ching is second in MLS with 10 goals in 11 games, even after taking time off last month to join the U.S. National Team for the World Cup. He also has two assists.

He was named April's MLS Player of the Month.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.