< back to team staff NAME: Mark Simpson POSITION: Assistant Coach

Mark Simpson joined D.C. United's coaching staff as an assistant to Peter Nowak in 2004. Under Head Coach Tom Soehn, he assumed a larger role and increased responsibility. In five seasons as an assistant, United captured the 2004 MLS Cup, the 2006 and 2007 Supporters' Shield and the 2008 U.S Open Cup with Simpson's assistance. He also helped lead the 2005 reserves to the inaugural Reserve Division championship and was an integral part in Troy Perkins' growth, which led to him being named the 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally, Simpson was an assistant coach under Nowak as part of the 2004 and 2006 All-Star squads. He also served as the goalkeeping coach for the Black-and-Red during the 2002 MLS season under Ray Hudson.

Between his United coaching stints, Simpson served as an assistant coach with United Soccer League's Virginia Beach Mariners, where he helped engineer an amazing turnaround. The club followed up a 6-19-3 finish in 2002 with a 14-9-5 overall record in 2003, losing in the playoffs to the eventual champions, the Charleston Battery.

From his first professional game between the pipes in 1996, Simpson was a steady and sure-handed goalkeeper. He joined D.C. United in 1996 from the Cincinnati Silverbacks of the NPSL. He started 14 regular season games and then led the team to the inaugural MLS Cup championship, starting all six playoff games. In 1997, he spent time with both D.C. United and the Buffalo Blizzard. Simpson anchored the Blizzard with a 6-1 record, but suffered an injury which then got infected. The unfortunate occurrence required a year and a half of recovery and saw Simpson only able to play in two games for the Black-and-Red in 1998.

Simpson returned for the 1999 campaign, making nine appearances (6-1 record). He was recognized with the Coaches' Choice award in July 2000 for his performance in United victories over Rochester in U.S. Open Cup play and English Premier League side Newcastle. He called time on his playing career in 2001, finishing with 53 appearances and a 1.49 goals-against-average. Simpson's playing honors include three MLS Cups (1996, 1997 and 1999), a U.S. Open Cup (1996), a CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1998) and a InterAmerican Cup (1998).

In his free time, Simpson enjoys fishing and golf. He and his wife, Amanda, reside in Herndon with their two daughters Nina and Lyla.