Clyde Simms has been deployed in an array of different positions for D.C. United this season, but his roving days may be over -- for now -- as a run of strong team and individual performances have helped him secure his preferred spot at holding midfielder.
"Clyde has been on the field several times and one thing we do when Clyde is on the field is, we win," said head coach Tom Soehn last week. "He works hard. As a coach, it's great to have a lot of options and we are going to keep changing it up and keeping our legs as fresh as we can."
The Black-and-Red have won five of six games since Simms broke into the starting lineup a month ago, and while Soehn continually emphasizes the importance of practice performances in his gametime lineup decisions, he has been pleased enough with Simms' displays as the anchor of United's midfield to make him first choice ahead of longtime starter Brian Carroll.
"I feel like BC's a great player and I think we're just as good when he's on the field," said the soft-spoken Simms. "I've had a little luck with results, but other than that, I don't know -- I don't really ascribe a difference."
Simms joined United as a discovery player two years ago after catching the eye of then-U.S. national team manager Bruce Arena when a contract dispute prompted USSoccer to assemble a replacement squad composed of minor-league players, and the East Carolina University product has been matched in a friendly competition for playing time with Carroll ever since.
That's been a tough task, considering that Carroll has been United's iron man for some time now. He appeared in every single match from 2004-2006 and led the club in minutes played for the past two seasons, including a 90-game streak of consecutive appearances that stands at second all-time in the MLS record book.
Simms' situation was further complicated when United shifted from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 formation early this year, requiring only one defensive midfielder. Clearly an admirer of his fitness and work rate, Soehn also used him at right back and in wide midfield roles, but it was a challenging adjustment for Simms and he admits that his versatility has been both a blessing and a curse.
"Possibly, maybe just a little bit, as far as playing time," he said. "But I think the more positions you can play, the better. You see a different side of the game playing in the back and outside mid, and also it helps you to know where those guys need support at certain times in the game. So I think it nothing but helps you as a player."
At the urging of the coaching staff, Simms has added a physical edge to the United engine room and his ball-winning abilities have provided useful cover for the back four. But perhaps his most important improvement has been a more ambitious attitude with the ball at his feet, helping his distribution begin the attack with more regularity.
"[The coaching staff] said a lot of times I would play backwards in the past," said Simms. "When I got [the ball] it would be my first instinct to try to keep possession rather than make a pass forward to help the team go to goal. They got on me big-time in preseason this year with that. So I think that's helped me a lot: my first instinct is to look forward now rather than just try to keep possession."
The duel for the holding midfield spot is just one of many ongoing competitions throughout the United lineup as an improving injury outlook, combined with Soehn's willingness to experiment, has made for a hungry squad and a lively tone at training sessions.
"I think overall, in the midfield and on the team, we're fairly deep," said Carroll. "So whoever the coaching staff decides to put in there -- whether for injury purposes or for roster shuffles or whatever they have in mind -- I think we are still able to get the results. I feel comfortable with our team moving forward, no matter who we have available."
Now Carroll finds himself playing a utility role. The veteran has still logged some 251 minutes and appeared in every game of that same six-game stretch, but as a defensive substitute -- and even on the right wing, as of last Saturday in Toronto. Simms says that what would seem like a long-running rivalry between him and Carroll is anything but, as both focus on their opportunities to contribute to the team.
"It's a great atmosphere," he said. "We're the first ones to lift each other up before games and we give each other advice and things like that. So I wouldn't want to be in this position with any other player. He's a great guy and we're doing well."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
