WORLD CUP USA '94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : FANS WIGGED OUT ABOUT VALDERRAMA

By EMILIO GARCIA-RUIZ

June 18, 1994 12 AM PT

If the scene at Chicago’s Soldier Field is any indication, fans attending today’s game at the Rose Bowl will experience Valderrama-mania.

Even though the Colombian forward with the wild blond hairdo doesn’t begin World Cup play until today against Romania at the Rose Bowl, his fans were easy to find at the inaugural game.

At least five Carlos Valderrama look-alikes were on hand, replete with bushy Valderrama blond wigs, No. 10 Valderrama game jersey and fake Valderrama mustaches.

“These wigs are very popular right now,” said Colombia fan Carlos Valencia, 45, a Chicago resident. “A lot of people have offered me money for this thing today.”

Valencia says he and a group of Colombian fans plan to fly to Los Angeles this morning wearing the Valderrama outfits.