Pros

Twellman hopes to rediscover goal-den touch By Andrew Hush
April 15, 2006


Taylor Twellman limped away from training on Thursday with an ice pack on his leg, following a knock he took that summed up his season so far. Twellman was caught as he stretched into a sliding challenge towards the end of the session, an ironic reflection of that fact that, in spite of all his hard work in the Revolution’s early games, things simply are not going right at the moment for the reigning league MVP.

Taylor Twellman (Photo by Joyce Furia)

Twellman should be fit for tomorrow night’s game in Kansas City, where he will seek further opportunities to score the goals that have, thus far this season, eluded him. That he is a team man is without question but, with the days passing quickly until Bruce Arena names his World Cup roster, the pressure is on Twellman himself to rediscover the scoring touch that seemed to have made him a certainty for Germany six weeks ago.

However, a barren spell in front of goal, combined with a glut of goals for Brian Ching, has increased speculation that the Missourian may miss out and, following last Saturday’s draw in New York, Twellman was clearly frustrated with the way things are going for the Revs front men:

“Our job is to get the ball on frame and we’re not getting the quality chances that we’re normally getting. We’ve got to get that ball out wide and get the ball in the box and we haven’t done that of late.”

On first reading, the comment may seem a little puzzling to those that saw last weekend’s game and can remember Twellman, and the Revolution in general, missing several golden opportunities in Giants Stadium. However, read his words a little closer, and understand that what Twellman means is that he is not getting the ‘right’ chances. Twellman has had scoring chances in both games this year, but not of the type he traditionally thrives on.

Playing 3-4-3 instead of 3-5-2 means that the Revolution is a much narrower team and, currently, the new formation is hurting Twellman’s game for two main reasons. First, at the times when the side has got the ball wide, the quality of crossing from the wings has not been of the quality that Twellman, who has built a reputation as a penalty box predator who scores goals with quick movements, darting runs and deft touches, is used to.

Consider some of his goals last year: the late equalizer and winner at Gillette Stadium against FC Dallas, the first of which showed his instinctive skills as he followed up to bundle the ball home, followed by the second that was laid on by a fine cross from Shalrie Joseph; the last-minute decider against DC United, when he was first to react to Andy Dorman’s chip forward; and his hat-trick against Columbus, three instant finishes where he found just the space he needed.

Secondly, without a traditional strike partner and support from midfield, Twellman has often found himself double teamed by opposing defenses. It is no coincidence that most of Twellman’s goals last year involved Noonan who, in is current role, is rarely alongside his childhood friend as he was then. When he plays as an out and out central striker, Noonan shoulders the bulk of the ‘fetching and carrying’ load, with intelligent runs and excellent play with his back the goal, which allows teammates to support attacks.

When paired with Noonan, Twellman is able to find more space in between defenders, which enables him to get into the positions from which he can poach goals. Currently, he seems to be too isolated up front and is constantly fighting for the ball and is rarely able to face the opposing goal. Furthermore, the emphasis placed on Joseph and Dorman, with an inexperienced back three behind them, to think of defense first and offense second, has restricted their own forward movements which, as the given examples show, were so valuable to Twellman last year.

Paul Mariner, who knows a thing or two about goal scoring, said this week that Twellman, Noonan and Dempsey are too good not to rediscover their form in front of goal. Steve Nicol has warned that, sooner or later, someone is going to be on the end of a thumping when his side puts it all together.

Until then, however, the struggle will continue. It is hoped, for the sake of the team, that things click soon and the Revolution can back up good defense with a more potent offense. From a personal point of view, Taylor Twellman will be just as keen for the strike force’s fortunes to change, so his World Cup dream is not snatched away from him at the last moment.