New England Revolution’s Clyde Simms to retire

Apr 13, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; New England Revolution midfielder Clyde Simms (19) chases down a pass against the Seattle Sounders FC during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Former New England Revolution and D.C. United midfielder Clyde Simms is calling time on his footballing career. After 182 regular season appearances with the Revs and D.C. United, a kidney infection called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis has felled Simms, who will retire from the game for good.

Simms was diagnosed with FSG when he was in high school but tried to play through it. In the end, it was going to catch up to him.

“I’ve never really talked about this because I always chose the mind over matter approach, but my health has gotten to a point where I can no longer do that,” Simms told MLSSoccer.com. “When I started playing with D.C., my kidney function was around 50 percent, and the last three years of my career it has gotten down to about 20 percent.

“I fell in love with this sport at a young age and was determined not to let anything stop me. Unfortunately, for the past 10 years I have been dealing with kidney disease, and it has become too tough for me to compete at this level anymore.

“I made sure for as long as I could I would still fight for my dream, my passion. I was very lucky to have had such a great run, but now it’s time to fight another battle.

“Thank you to all the fans, teammates and coaches that supported me and helped me along my journey.”

Simms’ 182 appearances ranks fifth all-time in United history, while his 147 starts ranks sixth. Simms helped New England win back-to-back Supporters’ Shields as the league’s best regular-season club in 2006 and 2007, and also the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Throughout his career, Simms made 221 appearances and 185 starts while scoring three goals and adding nine assists. He started his professional career in 2004 with the Richmond Kickers of then USL First Division and also claims one cap with the USA Men’s National Team.