D.C. United announced Monday the re-signing of midfielder Clyde Simms. The 26-year-old joined the Black-and-Red back in 2005 and has established himself as an important part of United's midfield. Per team and League policy, terms of the agreement will not be released.
"We are very pleased to have re-signed Clyde to another long term deal," said United General Manager Dave Kasper. "He has worked his way into becoming one of our most consistent performers the past two seasons, and a very respected holding midfielder in MLS. At 26, we look forward to Clyde being an important part of our future for years to come."
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.
In 2007, Simms took hold of the defensive midfield spot midway through the season and tallied three assists in 25 games (16 starts). During the 2006 season, the midfielder appeared in 24 games (14 starts) for the Black-and-Red and struck his first career MLS goal in D.C.'s 1-0 win over Chicago on June 21. Simms joined United in 2005, earning 12 starts in his 25 total appearances. Before joining United, Simms spent his first professional season with the Richmond Kickers (USL 1), where he started 28 of 31 games and notched three goals. Simms earned his first cap with the U.S. Men's National Team on May 28 in a friendly versus England played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
