The world of sports often brings out the passion of many avid fans. For UO student and graduating senior Will Bohn, international soccer is his passion.

As the class of 2014 throws their caps in the air at graduation on June 16, Will won’t be there alongside his fellow classmates.

Instead, Will will be in the stands at Estadio das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, attending his third World Cup and rooting on his beloved U.S. men’s national soccer team as they face Ghana.

Will can easily provide anyone with a play-by-play account of what happened at each World Cup game he witnessed. However, they go hand-in-hand with memories he has shared with his family, mainly his father, David Bohn.

“There is just something about international soccer that I have always admired,” Bohn said. “It’s not just the pride of one city or one college that’s on the line. It’s really everything that the country stands for is on the line … the pride of an entire nation is at stake.”

Bohn and his father David are able to get tickets to these hyped matches through their membership with U.S. Soccer Supporter Club, a supporters club that with the payment of dues provides members with priority for tickets to USA soccer events.

Will’s first World Cup experience was in Germany in 2006. He had just graduated 8th grade, celebrated his 14th birthday and the trip marked his first time visting Europe.

Will’s memories from Germany include an emotional national anthem before the U.S. versus Italy game, along with the controversial loss to Ghana.

Oh, and of course delicious bratwursts.

However, Will admitted his time in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup was truly his favorite.

“That one (South Africa) was a lot more fun in my opinion,” Will said. “My best moments of the World Cup are definitely from South Africa, just because all of the epic moments.”

The World Cup in South Africa also is near to Bohn’s heart due to the U.S. versus Algeria game, where Landon Donovan’s goal late in the game secured U.S the win.

“I remember being so out of breath from all the cheering,” Bohn said. “I was afraid I was turning blue for a moment.”

After the game, Bohn and his father David went out for a spaghetti dinner to celebrate the victory.

“Let’s just say it wasn’t the best spaghetti I have ever had, but it sure tasted like it.”

Will’s passion for soccer orginally sparked from his father, who became a big fan when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994.

“I kinda felt during 1994 that it should be true that the U.S. fans should be supporting the team in the same way and even in the same number of USA fans of other sports,” David said. “It’s kinda a commitment, but it gets in your heart.”

Will has also experienced soccer games with friends, as fellow student Cody Karlin and Will traveled to Ohio to watch a qualifying match where U.S. beat Mexico.

Karlin jokes that Will has been attending World Cup matches and U.S. soccer games with his father since probably before most people his age knew all the words to the “Star-Spangled Banner” and was impressed by Bohn’s energy level throughout the entirety of the game.

“Having such an awesome fan next to me made both the experience and our friendship all the better,” Karlin said.

As the World Cup in Brazil kicks off today so does the Bohn family travels.

Will said he is looking forward to the trip and especially excited to see U.S. face Portugal at Arena Amazonia in Manaus, which is located deep in the Amazon Rainforest.

Due to the controversy surrounding the tournament, Will admitted he is a little nervous, but his father David isn’t as concerned, just excited for the celebrations and being around other fans. He added that when Brazil fans visited the U.S. in 1994 they were great and expects them to be good hosts as well.

Although spoken like a true parent, David did share that his main concern is how Will will handle the heat in Brazil.

Ultimately, this Bohn family tradition had brought memories, many airline miles and joy to this father and son duo. David adds that it is a tradition that he hopes will continue to stay in the family for future generations.

“Let’s hope 10 to 20 years from now there is another generation that they can pass this tradition down to,” David said.  “That would be pretty cool.”

Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman