Philadelphia Union's Alejandro Bedoya, a proud Colombian-American, reflects on the 1994 World Cup, which had a profound impact on his life and soccer career. Growing up in a soccer-loving household, Bedoya was surrounded by the game from a young age. His father, Adriano, and grandfather, Fabio, both played professional soccer in Colombia before emigrating to the United States. Bedoya's upbringing was fertile ground for his passion for soccer to grow. He split his childhood between Englewood, N.J., and Weston, Fla., where he was exposed to soccer through his grandfather's radio and an illegal black box that got games from Argentina to Italy. The 1994 World Cup was a pivotal moment in Bedoya's life, as he watched the tournament with his family and friends, surrounded by the festive nature of the Colombian culture. The experience had a lasting impact on Bedoya, shaping his identity as a proud Colombian-American and guiding his travels through soccer cultures over nearly a decade playing in Europe. Today, Bedoya is a professional soccer player with nearly 20 seasons of experience and 66 caps for the United States. He continues to be inspired by the 1994 World Cup and the impact it had on his life.