Richmond Kickers Feature -- www.richmondkickers.com
Thursday, February 23, 2012
RICHMOND, Va. -- Following the Richmond Kickers Pro Tryouts last month, RichmondKickers.com is proud to present one of the most successful past participants in this week’s Kickers Legends edition: Clyde Simms.
Simms started his soccer career at East Carolina University, where he played from 2000 until 2003. The midfielder participated in the Richmond Kickers Pro Tryouts, signing his first professional contract prior to the 2004 USL season.
That year, Simms made 31 appearances, scoring three goals and helping the Kickers to a 17-8-3 record. Following the 2004 campaign, the Jamestown, North Carolina native was invited to the U.S. Men’s National Team training camp and earned his first cap on May 28, 2005 as a substitute against England.
Making 182 appearances with D.C. over seven seasons, Simms joined the New England Revolution in December 2011. Before the 2012 season kicks off, RichmondKickers.com sat down with Clyde for this exclusive interview:
RichmondKickers.com: You just joined the New England Revolution in December 2011. What is your impression after the first couple of weeks?
Clyde Simms: It’s definitely been a big change for me, having played with D.C. United for most of my career or for the last seven years. It’s definitely a lot colder up here, for one. The guys are great, good teammates and there are some very good players here. I think we will play a different style here than I played at D.C. United, but I think it will be effective.
RichmondKickers.com: What are your personal expectations for the upcoming season?
Clyde Simms: I think it’s too early to make expectations. We’re still trying to get a feel for who we are as a team and we’re working every day to do that. Obviously our goal is to win as many games as possible and make the playoffs. I think we definitely have the talent to do that. We just have to come together as a team day in and day out.
RichmondKickers.com: You were signed by the Kickers after a successful tryout in 2004. How did you experience the tryouts back then?
Clyde Simms: It was great. I tell people all the time, if it wasn’t for the Kickers giving me that opportunity, I probably wouldn’t be here today. They gave me an opportunity when a lot of teams even in MLS wouldn’t. There was a lot of competition in the tryouts, but I think obviously I did something well that stood out to Leigh Cowlishaw and I was fortunate enough to get a contract.
RichmondKickers.com: How would you describe your time with the Richmond Kickers?
Clyde Simms: It was definitely different. The way the league was set up back then was totally different then MLS. It was a much shorter season and we had some literally back to back games, Friday, Saturday or Saturday, Sunday. I think the biggest thing is that it taught me how to be a professional early on at a young age. I think that was great for my progression and moving on to MLS. It helped me a lot.
RichmondKickers.com: Looking back, was there a decisive moment that leveraged your career?
Clyde Simms: When the National Team went on strike and I got to go into National Team camp. When the strike was over, Bruce Arena kept me with the guys and I got a lot of attention from that. I would definitely say that was a huge step in my development.