Because of a friendship between Schmid and Scott Schauer, the executive director for the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, there is a possibility that the Crew will not be involved in a third annual MLS exhibition game at College of the Canyons.

Nonetheless, Schauer said, the game will likely go on.

Chivas USA has committed to the third playing of the game, which will benefit the Hoefflin Foundation.

Schauer said the aim is to have the exhibition played in mid to late February or early March at College of the Canyons' Cougar Stadium.

In 2007, the Los Angeles Galaxy tied the Crew 1-1.

Last year, the Crew defeated Chivas 2-1 in front of an estimated 7,000 people.

The Crew went on to win this year's MLS Cup.

Schmid turned down an offer to return as the Crew's head coach on Wednesday and speculation is that he will be named head coach of MLS expansion team the Seattle Sounders FC.

Schauer has been in contact with Seattle technical director Chris Henderson about bringing the Sounders south for the exhibition.

The Hoefflin executive director said he's unsure if the Sounders will come, but the first shot for an opponent for Chivas will go to a Schmid coached team.

Schauer said he would like to see the Galaxy return to play the game.

But he is looking at other possibilities.

That could include a team like Real Salt Lake, he said.

Hart High graduate Kyle Reynish is on the team's roster.

Another possibility could be two games in successive weeks.

Schauer said last year's game raised nearly $30,000 for the foundation, a local nonprofit organization that gives support to children and their families facing childhood cancer.

cosborne@the-signal.com