Taylor Twellman

CINvSKC 2019-04-07 - Taylor Twellman (32618249487) (cropped)

Taylor Twellman (born February 29, 1980) is a retired American soccer player and current television sports analyst. He is best known for his time as a forward with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer (MLS) and for his work as a commentator for ESPN.

Early Life and Education

Twellman was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Saint Louis University High School, where he excelled in both soccer and baseball. Twellman later attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the Maryland Terrapins men's soccer team.

Professional Career

Early Career

Twellman began his professional career in 2000 when he signed with TSV 1860 Munich in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of German soccer. However, he struggled to find playing time and returned to the United States in 2002.

New England Revolution

In 2002, Twellman was drafted by the New England Revolution in the MLS SuperDraft. He quickly became one of the league's top scorers, earning the MLS MVP Award in 2005. Twellman scored over 100 goals for the Revolution and helped lead the team to several MLS Cup finals.

International Career

Twellman also had a notable international career with the United States men's national soccer team. He earned 30 caps and scored 6 goals for the national team. Twellman was part of the squad that competed in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the United States won.

Retirement

Twellman's career was cut short due to concussions, leading to his retirement in 2010. His experience with concussions has made him an advocate for player safety and concussion awareness in sports.

Post-Retirement Career

After retiring from professional soccer, Twellman transitioned to a career in broadcasting. He joined ESPN as a soccer analyst and has become a prominent voice in American soccer coverage. Twellman is known for his insightful analysis and passionate commentary.

Personal Life

Twellman comes from a family with a strong sports background. His grandfather, Jim Delsing, was a Major League Baseball player, and his uncle, Jay Delsing, is a professional golfer. Twellman is also involved in various charitable activities, particularly those related to concussion awareness and research.

Honors and Awards

• MLS MVP Award: 2005
• MLS Best XI: 2002, 2005
• MLS Golden Boot: 2005
• MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award: 2007

See Also

• New England Revolution
• Major League Soccer
• United States men's national soccer team
• ESPN