Four years ago, New Jersey native Alejandro Bedoya was one of the last cuts from Bob Bradley’s US roster, his World Cup dreams dashed.
Turns out they were just dreams delayed.
Monday the 27-year-old made a surprise start at right midfield in the United States’ World Cup opener, helping to pull out a thrilling 2-1 win over nemesis Ghana. Next up is Portugal on Sunday, and the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I use it as motivation. That feeling [Monday] was amazing,’’ Bedoya said. “When [Ghana] scored, the [reaction] was just a gasp of air. But to get that goal — I was hurting so I couldn’t even make it over to the corner flag to celebrate — you got to soak it all in. [Monday] we were enjoying ourselves; now we’ve got to recuperate. Now we put all of our focus on Portugal, and I think we’ll be able to do that.’’
Putting in a professional effort is in Bedoya’s nature — or his blood. His father, Adriano, played professionally in Colombia with Millonarios, and his grandfather for Deportes QuindÃo.
“My father let me know what to expect, just worry about myself, not get too caught up in all the things around me. That’s helped me greatly,’’ Bedoya said. “With their background and experience, I’ve been able to mold myself into more of a professional player, and person as well.’’
If his father and grandfather were his soccer teachers, the fields of North Jersey were his classrooms. Bedoya was born in Englewood and played with the Clifton Stallions alongside Giuseppe Rossi, now at Fiorentina. And even after moving to Florida as a schoolboy, he returned to play two seasons for Fairleigh Dickinson.
Now he’s one of a cadre of Jersey boys representing the US in Brazil.
“Overall, he put in a great deal of work up and down the right flank … doing whatever needed to be done to help the US,’’ FDU coach Seth Roland said.
“He battled defensively, broke up a number of Ghana’s attacking movements, and got forward into good spots wide and played some intelligent passes. He battled valiantly through the heat and humidity, left it all on the field for the US team, and helped earn a critical three points.’’
Bedoya joined North Brunswick’s Tim Howard, Princeton’s Michael Bradley and Livingston’s Jozy Altidore as four New Jersey starters to help earn those points.
“Jersey has produced some of the greatest players on the national team in times past. I love Jersey; I love this state, everything around it, being able to come into the city,’’ said Bedoya. “I still rep Jersey. I grew up here, I went to college here, my family is all here.’’
“All the Jersey guys are so different. We’re all so different, it’s kind of funny. That’s Jersey: It’s a huge melting pot. You have all different kinds of people, all these little communities based by country and culture.’’
He’s a product of that North Jersey cultural melting pot, but unlike Rossi — who chose to represent Italy — he always felt distinctly American.
“I grew up in Jersey in a time when my parents were still getting comfortable in the US,’’ said Bedoya. “In the ’94 World Cup, I had a [Colombia star Carlos] Valderrama wig, my father and grandfather were going to the games. But I always felt more American.’’
Even four years ago, when Bradley made him one of his last cuts from the World Cup team.
“It was tough,’’ said Bedoya. “The way you react to it, you’re bummed out. I had to tell my family. But I took it well.’’
He took it and owned it, pushing himself as a player to get better. After an injury-riddled season at Scottish side Rangers in 2011-12, he took a short-term deal at Sweden’s Helsingborg to rebuild his confidence and made his breakthrough at France’s Nantes last year.
“I’ve had an up-and down career, but I knew by working hard I could get back in this position. I played myself into this position. Confidence as a footballer is so big. I have more of that now,’’ Bedoya said.
“He stepped it up and became more mature. He developed more drive and more consistency in his game, and showed that in games with us as well,’’ said US coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “He’s taken a big step forward. Now comes another.’’
That step was his surprise start at right midfield, Klinsmann always impressed not just by Bedoya’s skill on the ball and positional savvy but by his diligent and dogged defense too. That could be key if Bedoya — who had a minor hip-pointer against Ghana — has to help right back Fabian Johnson deal with Ronaldo.
“Portugal is going to be a tough game. It’s football: Anything can happen,’’ said Bedoya. “Based on past World Cups, sometimes four points [in group play] isn’t even enough [to advance,] so I don’t think we’ve gone that far to think if we get a draw we’re safe in the group. We’re trying to go out against Portugal and win that game, and then we don’t have to think about anything.’’