They came from different worlds, traveling divergent paths that intersected on the soccer field.

But Southern California native Landon Donovan and Hale'iwa export Brian Ching meshed their personalities to create a bond that extends beyond the pitch.

This week, Donovan and Ching compete in the Pan-Pacific Championships, a four-team international tournament that features Donovan's Los Angeles Galaxy and Ching's Houston Dynamo.

They first met in 2003 as teammates on the San Jose Earthquakes, and clicked "immediately," according to Donovan.

"There's guys you figure know how to play the game and we connected right away," he said.

That they even met seems unlikely. Donovan was a fixture on the national-team scene since he was a teenager, as a member of the Under-17, Under-20, Under-23 and full national teams. Ching earned his first cap (or international competition) at 25, becoming the first from Hawai'i to do so.

"The more I get to know him, the more I realize how hard it was," Donovan said. "I just figured the way I made it was the way it went. He's come from nothing (in the soccer world). Obviously, there's not a lot of exposure in Hawai'i, but when I saw him play, I knew he was going to get his chance."

Likewise, Ching said Donovan "impressed me right off the bat."

"You heard a lot about him; he just came off World Cup year," Ching said. "But what impressed me the most was he was a hard-working, humble guy. He's a smart guy, mature for his age and easy to hang around."

Donovan said: "We get along really well. I'm pretty mellow and most Hawaiians are pretty mellow. He's just a really bright and sharp guy. We understand things the same way."

Ching's ascent on the national scene makes him the first to do many things: first from Hawai'i to be drafted and play for an MLS team and to be named to the FIFA World Cup roster.

"I don't regret anything I've done," Ching said. "I'm glad I was able to grow up in Hawai'i and surf more than play soccer.

"Things might have different if I (grew up) in other places. I kind of enjoyed my journey. I was never the best, I don't think, and I always had to work for what I got. But I never took what I got for granted. That's just the way I am, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get, hard-working guy."

Ching got his chance in MLS after a stellar college career that garnered him all-conference and all-region honors at Gonzaga.

Donovan didn't play in college, opting to sign with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

Their paths first crossed in 2001, when Ching was a member of the Galaxy and Donovan was playing for the Earthquakes.

Two years later, Ching signed with the Earthquakes. Since then, both earned MLS Best XI honors and selection to the MLS All-Star game. Together they won the MLS Cup in 2003 — although Ching did not play in it because of an Achilles injury.

Donovan left San Jose after the 2004 season, but the two reunited during national team duties — where they are roommates.

Both are excited to make the trip to Hawai'i, for very different reasons.

Ching last played in Hawai'i in 1996 in high school for Kamehameha and has "been looking forward to this for 12 years."

Donovan has been to Maui twice, but never visited O'ahu.

Ching — Donovan calls him "Chingy" or "Ching Kong" — will play his tour guide, if and when the teams have any free time.

"I'll rely on Chingy heavily," Donovan said. "I love to golf. I love Hawai'i. Hopefully, we have some time off."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.