WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : SPOTLIGHT : NO DANCING AROUND THEIR LOVE OF SOCCER

It’s an international melting pot, that line outside the McDonald’s chuck wagon at the Rose Bowl’s World Cup food cart.

Waiting patiently for their sack of Big Macs were Fernando Bujones and his wife Maria, two ballet instructors who are in Pasadena mixing business with their love of soccer.

Bujones, 39, a guest artist with the Boston Ballet and a serious Brazil fan, is attempting to “squeeze in 15 to 20” World Cup matches between tour stops during the next month.

After catching Romania-Colombia and Sweden-Cameroon at the Rose Bowl, he flies to Palo Alto today for Brazil’s Group B opener against Russia.

“I say it will be 2-0, Brazil,” Bujones boldly predicted. “I like their chances in the tournament, but they must be careful. Brazil has been hurt by over-predicting in the past.”

Bujones said Germany scares him--”They are still a team that can compete”--and tabbed Romania as a dangerous dark horse. “Gheorghe Hagi is an unbelievable powerhouse,” he said. “Even if Romania does not win, Hagi will have established himself as a superstar in this World Cup.”

Bujones smiled.

“As you can see, I am an avid fan.”

Bujones met his wife when both danced with Stuttgart Ballet.

“I love the World Cup,” Bujones said. “I love American football too, but I think soccer should be part of the American sports scene. Maybe Americans will learn to appreciate it now so that when the World Cup comes here again, America will be able to win it.”