Former D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame in Raleigh on Saturday, Jan. 24. Simms, who retired from professional soccer last year, was honored as part of the three-member Class of 2015 which also included Clark Brisson and Josh McKenny.
Simms has been battling kidney disease an underwent a successful transplant surgery late in 2014, but because of complications after the surgery, he will need another transplant.
Simms played seven seasons with D.C. United, winning two Supporters Shields and the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, before spending his final two professional years with the New England Revolution. Over a nine-year Major League Soccer career he played in 221 games with 185 starts. In 2010, he was D.C. United’s “Iron Man” and named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Counting his first year as a pro with the Richmond Kickers, Simms totaled 247 pro appearances. He also made one appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
A native of Jamestown, N.C., Simms was a standout midfielder at Southeast Guilford HS, alma mater of fellow D.C. United veteran Eddie Pope. He played collegiate soccer at East Carolina University, appearing in 73 games and serving as team captain three out of four seasons.
