Finding the World in Loudoun County

Skaer, who likes to fling around rudimentary Spanish phrases such as muy bonita and who has an abiding interest in world cultures, welcomed the walk-ons to the nascent team, which was eventually named South Riding United, less for sentimental reasons than as a nod to the world-renowned Manchester United team from England.

At first, Elabderrahmani said, he assumed he'd "have nothing in common with this redheaded guy," Branch. The redheaded guy recalled that he just wanted to play, really. But after a few games, they started to joke around, and, as soccer players do, they hugged after goals. They noticed that they pulled into driveways within eyesight of each other.

"So we started talking," Elabderrahmani said. "You know, 'What do you do? What do you do?' "

Elabderrahmani was working in Herndon for Allstate Insurance. Branch was starting a job running an assisted living facility in Oakton. He had a couple of dogs, and Elabderrahmani offered to come over and help walk them, even though he didn't like dogs. "And that was how it started," Elabderrahmani said of their friendship.

At first, there were questions about religion -- Branch is Catholic; Elabderrahmani is Muslim -- and a curiosity about cultural trappings.

Elabderrahmani, whose wife is Catholic, explained to his friend certain types of prayers and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and Branch watched him and other Muslim players struggle through matches the month of the fast. Branch lost relatives and friends on Sept. 11, 2001, and the two men had conversations about that day and about the causes of religious extremism.

Elabderrahmani, who has been in this country about 12 years, asked Branch about such things as Social Security, Medicare and the meaning of "dude."

And as the months passed, the two moved beyond whatever initial awkwardness existed and found their common ground. Conversations turned to the intricacies of workdays, women and "Seinfeld."

"The guy is from Morocco, and his favorite thing is 'Seinfeld,' " Branch said. "I'm not a huge fan, but he couldn't stop going on and on about it, and he was explaining to me how funny it is. I'm like, 'I don't get it.' So, things like that come up a lot."

There were cookouts and block parties. They both bought new houses in South Riding and helped each other move, and they have come to rely on each other for smaller favors, drives to the airport or errands. Elabderrahmani helped Branch find a baker who could make a Barbie birthday cake for his daughter, and Elabderrahmani came to the party afterward.

"He just stood off to the side and said, 'Just to see your daughter so excited is great,' " Branch recalled. "Then, at 8 p.m., I get a call, and he wants to walk the dog because he wants to talk about work. It's so funny."

Of his friend, Elabderrahmani just said, "I love that guy."