There are just 17 days until the 2014 World Cup gets underway and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando will be on that plane to Brazil after he was selected as one of the 23 players on the US squad.
But Rimando didn't have to travel very far to be part of the 1994 World Cup in the USA ... as a 15-year-old fan. He grew up in Montclair, Calif., about 30 miles from Pasadena, the site of the epic USA vs. Colombia group-stage match (highlights above), which catapulted the US to an improbable second round qualification. Rimando recalls the event:
It was in the Rose Bowl, right in my backyard. That's the memory that comes to mind. I just remember that [the USA] won. The atmosphere. The own-goal [by Colombia's Andrés Escobar].
There was a whole lot of excitement leading up to it. And I remember everybody outside the stadium and then just being inside and actually being part of a World Cup game.
I was playing with the US [Under-17 national team] and I was with them at the game. The ultimate goal is to work your way up and get to the men's national team. Work hard and one day maybe you can be a part of that.
WORLD CUP MEMORIES:
Alexi Lalas: Legend's all-time favorite moment was a hand ball
Clint Dempsey: Childhood dreams come true with a single goal
Bruce Arena: First World Cup game? Only one of the biggest upsets in history
Landon Donovan: Baggio's missed PK in '94 leaves profound impact on US great
Kyle Beckerman: The Saudi Arabian who inspired RSL's World Cup hopeful
Jason deVos: 1986ers pave the way for future Canadian national team star
Will Johnson: Timbers captain experiences agony and ecstasy in 120 minutes in 1998
Michael Bradley: The miracle comeback that he helped author in South Africa 2010
Carlos Valderrama: The goal that brings goosebumps to every Colombian
Clint Mathis: The Mohawk and the Red Sea in South Korea
Robbie Keane: Lady Luck shines on Republic of Ireland in 2002
Tim Cahill: RBNY star goes down in the history books in 2006
Grant Wahl: How the 1998 final shaped a Sports Illustrated writer's career
Jermain Defoe: Consolation for not making it to Brazil? His goal in 2010
