Sounders | Pals on opposite sides tonight

Now, there's more than a morning cup of coffee on the line.

For four years, San Diego Sockers teammates Fernando Clavijo and Brian Schmetzer walked into a local Point Loma McDonald's every day following training from 1984-88. So much the regulars, the local fast-food chain employees brewed up a fresh cup and heated up Danish pastries for the indoor soccer team duo.

An unlikely friendship blossomed.

That friendship, which started with the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) team in '84, carried over into a coaching experience in leading the Seattle SeaDogs to a Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL) championship in 1997.

All that history will take a backseat when Schmetzer's Seattle Sounders of United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division attempt to knock off Clavijo's Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer (MLS) at 7 tonight in the 94th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal at Qwest Field.

"We were best friends when we were there [in San Diego]," said Schmetzer, who played alongside Clavijo on defense for the Sockers, who won three MISL titles during their time together. "We did a lot of things together. Our families were intertwined.

"Our families did a lot together. They'd come over for dinner, we'd come over dinner. It was a good bond."

Clavijo, who moved to the United States from his native Uruguay to earn a living, went from working in a New York restaurant to playing professional soccer in a short time at age 22. Within five years, he was playing with Schmetzer and recognized his teammate's knowledge of the game.

"I've always tried to get Brian with me coaching," Clavijo said of his respect for the job that Schmetzer has done with the Sounders. "When I went to coach in MLS, I always tried to get in touch with Brian and bring him along.

"He's a good a coach and he knows the American game. I've always trusted him and he works well with players."

Twice Clavijo, 51, has attempted to lure Schmetzer, 44, to be his assistant coach in MLS, most recently setting up an interview with the club before he took over Colorado in 2005. Schmetzer admits he might have taken the job if not for his three high-school age children.

Clavijo also wanted Schmetzer on his staff when he coached the New England Revolution from 2000-2002.

"Our kids grew up together," Clavijo said of their playing days. "It was beautiful."

Schmetzer, the son of a German immigrant, began his coaching career essentially after having his playing career end in 1995 with Clavijo and the SeaDogs.

A torn left ACL moved Schmetzer into a role as unofficial assistant coach for the SeaDogs in 1995 and he assumed that position in '96 and '97.

"That was the start of me learning how to manage personalities as a coach," said Schmetzer, who has guided the Sounders to a .629 win percentage at 109-59-36 in this his sixth season leading Seattle. "We worked together great. I think our strengths and weaknesses kind of complimented each other.

"Coaching is basically about managing egos. Watching Fernando, I learned how to build a team."

The only common goal tonight is to reach the Open Cup semifinals. The Sounders (16-6-6 overall) hope to continue a trend of lower-division teams knocking off MLS clubs when they host Colorado (5-9-6).

Only three MLS clubs remain. In the third round, lower-division franchises went 5-3 against MLS teams.

"Last year, we talked every couple of weeks, because I sent a lot of my players to Seattle," Clavijo said. "I tried to help Brian make sure he had enough players and get him players who needed to play. Also, I talked to him about who was doing well there and who could get to MLS.

"We're always trying to improve our team and Brian has a good eye for talent."

Clavijo expects it to be tough to come into Seattle and get a win.

"I'd give them a little bit of an edge," he said. "They have good players. There's no doubt that it's going to be a war. It's going to be like any other MLS game and it's going to be physical."

In the past, the coaches looked out for each other and valued their longtime friendship.

For one night, Clavijo and Schmetzer will put that aside for about two hours.

"He's a competitor," Clavijo said of Schmetzer. "I hope he has an opportunity to go to a higher level and show the rest of America what he can do."

The coffee ritual strengthened the teammates' bond.

"We had a routine," Clavijo said. "We're both very superstitious. We had a cheese Danish and a cup of coffee every day we went to practice. When you're talking about friendships, that's what we had. We went through many difficult times together as professionals. We always found a shoulder to lean on."

This morning, for old times' sake, the familiar faces of Schmetzer and Clavijo will meet for a cup of coffee and maybe a Danish. This time it will be different.

"He knows I'm going to try to kick his butt," said Clavijo, who once broke Schmetzer's nose in a Sockers practice. "We're both pretty competitive."