WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINAL : Spotlight : WHERE’S VALDO?

Donde esta Valdo?

That question was asked more than a few times, in a variety of forms, of Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Valdo was the most notable Brazilian soccer player not to make Parreira’s World Cup roster--a creative playmaking midfielder who helped Paris St Germain win the French club championship this year.

Parreira opted for the veteran Rai instead, a decision that had been second-guessed only about a couple of thousand times during the past month, particularly in light of Brazil’s revolving door in the midfield.

Rai did not play in Sunday’s final, and after 105 minutes of nil-nil soccer, Parreira deposited another midfielder, Zinho, on the bench in favor of a third forward, Viola.

Would Valdo have made a difference?

At least one coach who has scouted Brazil, U.S. assistant Sigi Schmid, has his doubts.

“Maybe if they played him outside,” Schmid said. “But he’s very similar to Zinho--left-footed as well. He might have been too similar.”