Taylor Twellman

Taylor Twellman
Hayden Schiff from Cincinnati, USA · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Taylor Twellman
Birth date	1980-03-29
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in
Position	Forward
Youthclubs	St. Louis Scott Gallagher, Christian Brothers College High School
College	University of Maryland
Seniorclubs	New England Revolution
Nationalteam	United States U20, United States
Notable awards	MLS MVP (2005), MLS Best XI (2002, 2005)

Taylor Twellman

Taylor Twellman is a retired American professional soccer forward, prominent in Major League Soccer during the early 2000s. He was a leading goalscorer for the New England Revolution, earned caps with the United States national team, and later became a high-profile analyst and advocate for concussion awareness following his premature retirement. Twellman's career intersected with notable organizations and events across Major League Soccer, CONCACAF, and international competitions.

Early life and youth career

Twellman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and developed in the local youth system with St. Louis Scott Gallagher and attended Christian Brothers College High School, where he played alongside peers who later joined programs at University of Maryland, Indiana University Bloomington, and UCLA Bruins. During his youth he competed in tournaments affiliated with U.S. Soccer and faced regional academies such as IMG Academy and FC Dallas Academy, drawing attention from scouts representing Major League Soccer and NCAA programs. His early development connected him to coaches and pathways linked to US Youth Soccer and the U.S. Under-20 national team setup.

College and amateur career

Twellman enrolled at the University of Maryland and played for the Maryland Terrapins men's soccer team, contributing to matches against collegiate programs like Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's soccer, North Carolina Tar Heels men's soccer, and Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer. As a Terrapin he competed in tournaments overseen by the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament and against players from Santa Clara Broncos men's soccer and Akron Zips men's soccer, gaining exposure to professional scouts from New England Revolution and other Major League Soccer clubs. His collegiate performances placed him among peers who later featured in competitions such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Professional club career

Twellman entered Major League Soccer as a young forward and spent his entire professional club career with the New England Revolution. At the Revolution he played under coaches connected to Bruce Arena, Sigi Schmid, and contemporaries from clubs like Los Angeles Galaxy, D.C. United, and Columbus Crew. He led the Revolution in scoring during multiple seasons, competing for scoring titles against players such as Landon Donovan, Jaime Moreno, Preki, and Carlos Valderrama. His club achievements included participation in the MLS Cup Playoffs, regular season competitions against teams like New York Red Bulls and Seattle Sounders FC, and appearances in continental tournaments involving CF Monterrey and Club América through CONCACAF events.

International career

Twellman represented the United States at youth and senior levels, including involvement with the United States men's national under-20 soccer team and the United States men's national soccer team. He earned caps in fixtures against national teams such as Mexico national football team, Honduras national football team, Costa Rica national football team, and friendly opponents including Brazil national football team and Portugal national football team. His international career intersected with coaches and players associated with Bob Bradley, Bruce Arena, Claudio Reyna, and Landon Donovan during cycles that involved tournaments like the CONCACAF Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying series.

Playing style and legacy

Twellman was known as a penalty-area striker, combining positioning reminiscent of forwards from England national football team traditions and finishing traits seen in players from Argentina national football team and Netherlands national football team pedigrees. Analysts compared his movement and finishing to noted forwards who starred in Major League Soccer and international leagues such as Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga. His legacy within the Revolution and MLS includes milestones that sit alongside records held by players like Taylor Twellman's contemporaries in goalscoring discussions with figures such as Jeff Cunningham, Chris Wondolowski, and Roy Lassiter.

Injuries and retirement

Recurrent injuries, particularly concussions and associated symptoms, curtailed his playing career and led to early retirement from professional soccer. His medical issues drew attention from specialists connected to institutions like Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and research bodies collaborating with U.S. Soccer Federation medical staff. The circumstances surrounding his retirement contributed to broader conversations involving organizations such as FIFA, World Health Organization, and National Football League about brain injury protocols and athlete health.

Broadcasting and media career

Following retirement, Twellman transitioned to broadcasting and became a commentator and analyst for outlets including ESPN, where he covered Major League Soccer, CONCACAF Champions League, and United States national team fixtures. He provided analysis during broadcasts alongside commentators with ties to Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and hosted segments referencing competitions like the FIFA World Cup, MLS Cup, and U.S. Open Cup. His media work connected him with journalists and former players associated with Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report.

Personal life and philanthropy

Outside of soccer, Twellman has engaged in advocacy and philanthropic efforts focused on concussion awareness, working with organizations and advocacy groups linked to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Concussion Legacy Foundation, and university research programs at institutions such as Boston University and Harvard Medical School. His personal life includes ties to the St. Louis community and involvement with charitable initiatives connected to regional nonprofits and youth soccer development programs like US Youth Soccer and local academies.

Category:American soccer players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:University of Maryland alumni