FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England midfielder Clyde Simms will miss Saturday night's match with Houston with tendonitis in his left ankle.
Simms sat out Friday morning's training session and the Revs confirmed he will not play against the Dynamo (7:30 pm ET, watch LIVE online) by listing him as out on the Friday afternoon injury report.
The news comes as a significant blow to a Revolution side in search of a second straight victory for the first time this season. Simms has started all 10 games for the Revs so far this season and has supplied diligent and reliable work in his holding midfield role.
Although Revolution boss Jay Heaps has several options such as Benny Feilhaber, Ryan Guy and Kelyn Rowe (fit again after recuperating from a left hamstring strain) to fill the void, Simms' absence creates a significant hole in the starting XI.
“It's going to hurt us, of course,” Revolution left back Chris Tierney told MLSsoccer.com. “Clyde has been exceptional for us this year with what he does. He plays simple and he breaks things up. If he's not able to go, someone will have to fill his shoes. I think we have some good options this year in terms of guys who are athletic and can break things up similar to the way Clyde does.”
While the selected replacement may not replicate Simms' exact qualities in the center of the park, he must prepare to do the necessary work in central midfield to keep the Revs' defensive shape intact against a formidable and physical Dynamo outfit, according to New England center back Stephen McCarthy.
“It's going to be tough without him, but we have guys that can come in,” McCarthy said. “If he doesn't play, there will be guys working just as hard as him. Clyde works his butt off. Whoever plays there will work just as hard. I think it's going to be [about] the mindset more than who is there.”
