CARSON, Calif. - Over the past four years, Taylor Twellman has been one of Major League Soccer's top strikers. Now, the New England Revolution's scoring ace hopes to finally translate league success into international triumph.
Twellman was one of 30 players called into the USA's month-long training camp set to begin Jan. 4 at The Home Depot Center. Of the five other forwards called into camp, only Josh Wolff has enjoyed the type of success Twellman has in MLS. But while Wolff has tasted success with the national team, Twellman has yet to find his stride with the U.S.
Now Twellman, who recently had sports hernia surgery, said he is taking it slowly and focusing on the tasks in front of him.
"It's just a matter of me getting fit for the upcoming season and me showing up and playing well," Twellman said. "I'll take it as any other camp and not put any extra pressure on myself."
Pressure was something Twellman likely felt during his string of national team games. The St. Louis native, who has a total of 13 caps, did not score a goal until his most recent appearance with the national team, a 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Panama on Oct. 12.
Still, Twellman has played sparingly throughout most of his U.S. career. Of his 13 appearances, he's only started five. He's played a total of 554 minutes out of a possible 1,170 while with the national team. His goal against Panama was seemingly long overdue, but Twellman said that it was skewed because of the amount of playing time he had.
"It was 13 appearances but a lot of them were for five minutes," Twellman said. "(National team manager) Bruce (Arena) stuck with me and gave me some games at the end and I scored a couple of goals that got called back and finally got one. I'm very pleased with it."
With the Revs, Twellman has scored 64 goals in his four seasons. In 2005, Twellman led the league with 17 goals and picked up the Budweiser Golden Boot and Honda MLS Most Valuable Player honors. The Revs reached the MLS Cup Final for the second time in Twellman's four seasons.
Still, 2005 left somewhat of a bitter taste with the Revs because of the way it ended.
"It's a little disappointing that we didn't do well in the final. Twice we've got there and haven't done anything," he said.
At Pizza Hut Park on Nov. 13, Twellman and the Revs fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in MLS Cup 2005. Four years ago, the same two teams combined for the same result in the same scenario.
Overall, however, the Revolution had a season of note.
"At the end of the day, I think we're happy with the season we had. It was a full season and something unusual for the Revs so far," Twellman said. "Hopefully we can do it again and get back to the final."
If the Revs repeat that feat, it stands to reason that Twellman would be up to his old league tricks. And if Twellman can somehow matches his league output with the national team, both Twellman and the U.S. would likely benefit greatly.
Even still, just wearing the U.S. uniform is an accomplishment for Twellman.
"It's a great honor to play for the U.S. team whether it's a friendly or the World Cup," Twellman said. "If my number's called, I'll be very happy."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
