[1][2] Clavijo began his professional playing career at the age of 16 with Uruguayan club Atenas de San Carlos.

In 1979, Clavijo, at the age of 22, left Uruguay and with his wife moved to the United States taking a job at a New Jersey restaurant.

After a successful trial, Clavijo signed with New York Apollo of the American Soccer League (ASL).

On November 21, 1990, he debuted for the United States in a friendly match against the Soviet Union in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite being 38 years old at the time (the oldest player on the American squad), Clavijo started three of the four matches the United States played in the tournament.

After the World Cup, Clavijo retired from professional soccer having represented the United States on 61 occasions in only five years of international career.

He left the club after the year, assuming head coaching duties with the New England Revolution in December 1999.

[11] In his second season in charge the Revolution finished mid-table, but advanced to the 2001 U.S. Open Cup Final, losing away to the Los Angeles Galaxy (in Fullerton, CA.)

[15][3] Coach Clavijo resigned from the Colorado Rapids on August 20, 2008, after a record in all competitions of 43 wins – 55 losses – 26 draws.