WORLD CUP USA '94 / THE FIRST ROUND : TODAY AT A GLANCE

By LISA DILLMAN

June 18, 1994 12 AM PT

GROUP A

at Rose Bowl

Colombia vs. Romania

* TIME: 4:30 p.m. PDT.

* TV: ESPN, Univision.

* KEY MATCHUPS: Colombia has been picked by Pele as the favorite in the tournament and plays a wide-open style that was favored by Brazil during Pele’s era. The game will turn on how well Romanian defenders handle the multifaceted Colombian offense with the best playmaker in the world, Carlos Valderrama, trying to set up forward Faustino Asprilla and midfielder Freddy Rincon. Romania could be hurt by its overdependence on spectacular midfielder Gheorghe Hagi.

* OUTLOOK: Unlike the other venues, the weather in Pasadena is not expected to have an impact on the game. The game will start late in the afternoon and the weather service is predicting temperatures around 65-68 degrees under partly cloudy skies. It could be an explosive match. Romanian Coach Anghel Iordanescu said he expects to reach the semifinals. Said Colombian Coach Francisco Maturana: “I think we have the technical ability and mind set to make it to the finals.”

* OUTCOME: Colombia, 2-1. And maybe if the crowd is lucky--at least one cartwheel by Asprilla, a personal tradition after he scores.