A consistent and reliable performer in the midfield who joined the Revolution in December 2011 through the Re-Entry Process after spending the first seven years of his MLS career with D.C. United … calm on the ball … has bite on challenges as needed … a defense-first midfielder, Simms helped United win back-to-back Supporters Shields in 2006 and 2007, and the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup … departed D.C. in fifth place on the club’s career appearance chart (182) … a solid presence in the locker room and in the community … in his eight-year professional career, spanning his A-League and MLS seasons, has never been ejected from a game.
2012: Joined the Revolution in December 2011 through the Re-Entry Process. Was the Revolution’s second pick in Stage 2 (22nd overall in the second round). Made 29 regular-season starts at central midfield. Recorded one assist – his first with the Revolution – on Saer Sene’s goal against Colorado (May 2). His assist was his first since May 17, 2008, when he recorded an assist in D.C.’s 3-1 loss at Chivas USA. Served as the team’s primary captain for the final portion of the season after Shalrie Joseph was traded to Chivas USA on Aug. 1. Started and made his Revolution debut in the season opener at San Jose (March 10). Connected 44-of-46 passes (95.7 passing percentage) at LA (March 31) while playing deep in the central midfield. Missed four matches (May 19 to June 16) with left ankle tendonitis. Returned to action with a start at Toronto (June 23). Was rested during the game at Kansas City (July 21), but started the final 14 games of the season, captaining the team in seven of those games. Started at central midfield against the Columbus reserves (June 17) playing 24 minutes in his first action since May 2 and his ankle injury.
2011: Started all 29 of his appearances, playing 2,404 minutes – third-most on United’s roster. Claimed sole possession of fifth place on D.C.’s appearance chart on July 30 at San Jose, playing in his 170th career match for United. Finished the season with 182 regular-season appearances – nine games shy of fourth place on the club’s appearance chart.
2010: Clyde Simms’ 2010 playing time was hampered due to his second sports hernia injury in two years. Despite this nagging injury, the veteran defensive midfielder played 20 League matches (18 starts), registering a total of 1,508 minutes on the field. The 2010 season marked a major career milestone for Simms. Having played a career total of 153 games (10,780 minutes), he joined only five other players who have played 150 matches or more for D.C. United.
2009: A constant at defensive midfielder for the Black-and-Red, Clyde Simms only missed time this season due to a sports hernia surgery that sidelined him for a few weeks during the summer. He started all 28 games he played in during the MLS season, captaining the squad on occasion. Simms scored his only goal of the year in the U.S. Open Cup final against Seattle. In total, Simms appeared in 34 matches (33 starts) and recorded 2,989 total minutes.
2008: The 2008 season saw Simms solidify himself as the team’s first option at defensive midfield, playing in all but three minutes of the team’s entire League season. His 30 games played, 30 starts, 2,697 minutes played and two goals were all career highs. He also contributed two assists in League play. The team’s iron man also played in all four CONCACAF Champions’ Cup games, all four U.S. Open Cup games, all three SuperLiga games and four of six Champions League games. In total, he played in 45 games (43 starts), tallying two goals and three assists. His 3,849 minutes in all competitions was the most-ever for a United player, barely eclipsing the mark set by goalkeeper Troy Perkins (3,847 minutes played) in 2007.
2007: After seeing the field primarily as a substitute early in the year, Simms took hold of the defensive midfield spot midway through the season. He tallied three assists in 25 games (16 starts). United was an impressive 11-1-5 in games in which Simms started. Dating back to the 2006 season, D.C. is 19-2-9 in all MLS regular season games in which he starts. He also scored a game-winning goal against CD Guadalajara on 9/26 in a 2-1 victory in the first leg of Copa Nissan Sudamericana.
2006: Simms quickly established himself as a United regular in 2006, appearing in 24 games (14 starts) for the Black-and-Red. The tenacious midfielder also struck his first career goal for United, scoring the lone strike in D.C.'s 1-0 win over rivals Chicago on 6/21. Simms also chipped in an assist against Kansas City on 6/24. The midfielder also started seven matches for the United reserves, logging an assist in 585 minutes.
2005: Simms joined United after a season with the Richmond Kickers (USL 1). The defensive midfielder adjusted quickly and earned 12 starts in his 25 total appearances. Simms picked up his first career MLS assist in United's 5-1 win over Real Salt Lake on 8/31.
Other Experience
2004: In his first professional season, Simms started 28 of 31 games for the Richmond Kickers of the USL First Division. As a midfielder, Simms notched three goals, two of which were game-winners. Simms was the only rookie to be named to the A-League Team of the Week on two occasions during the season. He was honored for his solid play versus the Virginia Beach Mariners on 5/31 and also for his game-winning goal over the Charleston Battery on 6/12.
International Experience
2005: Simms earned his first cap with the U.S. Men's National Team on 5/28 in a friendly versus England at Soldier Field in Chicago.
College Experience
2003: At East Carolina University, Simms was an All-Conference USA Third Team selection for the second year in a row and started all 17 games, captaining the team for the third straight year. He was third on the team in shots (21) and recorded two assists. Simms ended his career at East Carolina tied for fifth all-time in games played (72).
2002: As team captain, Simms was an All-Conference USA Third Team selection and started in all 18 games. He was tied for fourth on the team in points (6).
2001: Simms made 18 appearances (17 starts) as a first year captain for the Pirates, notching one assist.
2000: Simms was the lone member of the team to earn All-Conference USA honors (second team) and the first ECU freshman since 1992 to be named All-Conference. He played in all 19 games (18 starts) and scored three goals and had four assists for 10 points.
Honors
* Supporters’ Shield: 2006, 2007
* U.S. Open Cup champion: 2008
