Luís Fernando Gaúcho was discovered playing in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul by the director of América Futebol Clube (SP).
He began his professional career on the junior team of Sport Club Internacional in 1974, scoring 88 goals,[2] before moving to América (SP) of the First Division in 1977.
[4][5] In 1980 he moved to the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL and promptly scored 28 goals in 28 matches that season.
[6] That total was second only to Giorgio Chinaglia's 32 markers, and earned Luís Fernando a spot on the 1980 All-NASL 2nd team.
His 9 goals in the final 16 games helped buoy the Rowdies past Seattle into the last playoff spot.