Natasha Kai, with a wide smile and her arms outstretched in celebration, is the main focus of the U.S. Soccer Web site.

The photo commemorates her first career hat trick. In typical Kai fashion, she said yesterday of the momentous feat during a 6-0 win over Canada Saturday: "It's cool."

It is a big step during an important time for Kai, with the 2008 Beijing Olympics approaching. The U.S. women's team is expected to be announced in either June or July.

Five months ago, the mood wasn't quite as celebratory for the former Kahuku and University of Hawai'i star. When U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, who was hired Nov. 13, first watched her in January, she felt Kai had an unprofessional attitude and wasn't in shape, according to an Associated Press story, which went on to say that in the months since, Kai's attitude changed.

"In December/January, I actually was on the verge of getting cut because (Sundhage) didn't like what I did; that I didn't come in shape," Kai said. "She heard things about me, and I didn't show her anything.

"(National team defender) Christie Rampone and (forward) Abby Wambach told her to give me one more chance. I would have meeting after meeting, and I wanted it to be done."

Kai questioned if she was ready to be finished with soccer, "and I wasn't," she said.

"I needed to be more professional about it, and show (Sundhage) I wanted to be a part of this team," Kai said. "And now I'm starting."

She has a team-high 10 goals this year, passing Wambach for the lead.

"This is a completely different year. In the World Cup I played 10 minutes, and now (Sundhage) expects me to be a 90-minute player," Kai said.

"I'm not used to it. The last two years I hardly played at all, and now she wants me to play 90 minutes, five games in a row. It's a challenge. But it's something I've dreamt of doing and I need to do whatever it takes to be a 90-minute player."

Although it isn't the first time her conditioning was questioned, she said she is working on it.

"Some days are worse than others. But what it all comes down to, at the end of the day, it's what I love to do, and it's two hours out of a 24-hour day," said Kai, who spent part of yesterday at the Honolulu Zoo with her family. Kai, who arrived Sunday, is in Hawai'i through Monday.

Off the field, Kai has straightened out her life, including being in a "healthy relationship."

"I think having one gives you more confidence on the field," she said. "And me being happy off the field really helps me on the field."

MORE SOUNDERS ON WAY

Seattle Sounders defenders Kenji Treschuk and Zach Scott hope to follow Sounders alum and Hale'iwa native Brian Ching into Major League Soccer when the franchise joins the league in 2009.

Treschuk, of Moanalua, and Scott, from Maui, started all four games for the Sounders — a United Soccer Leagues First Division team — this season.

Scott was named to the USL First Division Team of the Week after leading the Sounders to a 0-0 draw against Portland, it was announced yesterday.

In 2007, Treschuk tallied two assists in 26 games, where he started 15 and played 1,536 minutes. Scott played 2,337 minutes with one goal and one assist, as the Sounders advanced to the USL-1 championship.

Ching has one goal and one assist for the Houston Dynamo this MLS season. He played for Seattle in 2001 and 2002.

CLASH IN CALIFORNIA

It isn't unusual for former All-State soccer players Shari Nishikawa and Mele French to play against each other.

But last Saturday, the two met up on a field in California for a United Soccer Leagues W-League game.

Nishikawa, from Kane'ohe, plays for the Ventura County Fusion. French, from Mililani, plays for the Pali Blues, which defeated the Fusion, 5-0.

"I'm just trying to see one season at a time," Nishikawa said. "I'm playing just for the experience and competition that we don't really have at home."

She said players range from junior college players to Division I. Other players in the league have national-team experience.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Hawai'i Youth Soccer Association is looking for volunteers for the USYS Far West Region Championships, June 16 to 22, at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Park.

The tournament pits the top boys and girls soccer players in the Western states, from under-12 through 19, with the winners advancing to a national tournament.

Anyone interested in working as part of the field crew, a field marshall, merchandise/food/drink tents, security/parking control or other means of support can contact HYSA at hysa@hawaii.rr.com.