FOXBOROUGH, Mass - MLS teams are finding out that a happy and healthy Taylor Twellman is even more dangerous than they remembered.
The New England Revolution striker leads MLS with seven goals on the campaign. The latest came last Saturday night, a 22-yard strike that found the net past Kansas City 'keeper Kevin Hartman with the aid of a deflection.
Sterling form has earned Twellman a call-up to his last unconquered frontier: the U.S. national team. Twellman has struggled to establish himself in the international realm. With that in mind, Twellman has focused over the past couple of years to hone a game that Revolution assistant coach Paul Mariner now calls "international caliber."
The striker's first task was finding a way to get healthy. Twellman struggled over the past couple of years with niggling injuries, with the most recent being a hernia injury rectified during preseason.
"He has had his injury problems," Mariner said. "No matter how strong your mind is, it still affects you, especially at the sharp end."
Twellman had his share of difficulties last season with those injuries, a significant personal loss off the field, and the disappointment of missing out on the United States World Cup roster. Given his struggles, Twellman took some time off during the offseason to push aside the events of the past year and refocus on this campaign.
"It was important to get it behind me," Twellman said. "Last year was a long year for me with the injuries and my grandfather dying. My family and I went to Hawaii after the season and we all decided that we would start anew this year."
Part of that fresh start is his continued work on his game. Twellman has worked closely with Mariner since the former English international striker was appointed assistant coach in 2004 in order to develop his game more. While Twellman is a predatory finisher, he and Mariner have focused on improving on his work outside the area.
"When someone like Paul Mariner talks to you, you know you're doing it in the right way," Twellman said. "The biggest stuff I've always had to work on is the build-up play. It's mentally staying clicked on. They want me to play as simply as possible."
Mariner insists that it is important for Twellman to continue to work on maintaining possession for his team in order to build the offense.
"If you're going to score goals, you need to hold it up in the final third," Mariner said.
And with the increased focus on work outside the penalty area, Twellman has rounded off his game to the point where he can complement his fox-in-the-box instincts with work in the overall offensive movement.
"His hold-up play has gotten better," Mariner said. "His decision making has improved. He's always had that sixth sense in front of the goal."
Twellman believes that his startling production is a result of his teammates.
"The service has been top-notch," Twellman said. "I'm blessed by playing with guys with a lot of talent."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
