The tattoo-covered, goal-scoring Natasha Kai is one of the leading scorers on U.S. Women's National Team. Yet all the confidence she displays on the field doesn't always translate off it.

"I knew there was a possibility for me to make it — and not to make it," Kai said yesterday after being named to the 18-player roster for the Beijing Olympics. "There's always the doubt in the back of your mind that someone can take your spot."

Kai, a Kahuku native and former All-American for the University of Hawai'i, is the first Hawai'i player to make the United States Olympic Women's Soccer Team.

Kai is second on the U.S. team with 11 goals in 12 games in 2008.

"I'm just looking forward to everything. ... Just to be there to represent your country, I think it's amazing," Kai said. "Just the whole Olympic experience. And hopefully I'll be able to start."

She played in three games at the 2007 Women's World Cup off the bench.

"No matter what my role is, I think it's a great opportunity being where I am, whether it is coming off the bench or starting every game. I'm here because I may have a talent and I love playing the game."

For her career she has 19 goals in 48 games.

"I'm excited about making the final roster," she said. "It was wishy-washy in the beginning of the year, but I'm glad things came together and now I'm going to the Olympics for the first time."

Kai was referring to her rough start to 2008, when she failed to come to camp in shape and needed to impress coach Pia Sundhage.

"As the months went by and my confidence grew, I knew if I kept it up, eventually I would have a spot on the team," she said.

The U.S., in Group G, opens play against Norway in Qinhuangdao, China, Aug. 6, then plays Japan on Aug. 9, also in Qinhuangdao, and New Zealand in Shenyang, Aug. 12.

While Beijing has drawn criticism for its air quality leading up to the Olympics, Kai said playing there isn't so bad.

"China, people say so many bad things about it, but being a professional you need to play anywhere and under any circumstance," she said.

She would know. Since her career with the national team began, Kai has played all over the world, from China to Brazil to Portugal.

The team returned to California Sunday after winning the Peace Queen Cup in Suwon, South Korea. Friday, the squad leaves for Norway and Sweden for a pair of games.

"It's fun traveling, but it gets kind of hard; it's hard for your body," she said.

It's why she chose to stay in California during the team's four-day break. She will return home for a brief visit in July after the U.S. plays Brazil in San Diego. Visits allow her time to reflect on the goals she set when she was a youngster. Not many are left for her to check off.

"For me, I just want to win a (Olympic) gold medal, that's the last thing on my list," she said. "Everything else has happened and I'm so thankful and excited that every dream of mine has come true. The last thing is winning a gold medal, and hopefully that can come true."