Frustrated Twellman On Mend

New England Striker Still Wants to Go Abroad

June 23, 2008

By Andrew Hush

Revolution striker Taylor Twellman believes that America�s day of independence may mark his return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since May 11. However, if the franchise�s all-time leading scorer has his way, his comeback will also be the start of his farewell to Major League Soccer, with Twellman still adamant that he wants to move overseas.

Taylor Twellman could be back by July 4, but he'd like it to be overseas. (CHRIS ADUAMA/ADUAMA.com)

Speaking prior to the Revolution�s match versus New York on Wednesday, Twellman expressed frustration at his lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 28-year-old injured his ankle against Chivas in what was his first game of the season after knee surgery delayed the start to his campaign.

Despite the absence of their talisman, New England is top of the Eastern Conference and just had a seven-game unbeaten run come to an end. The form the team is showing, believes Twellman, shows that it is the Revs� head coach, rather than he or any other player, that is the most important cog in their system.

"I think it confirms that the team would be okay letting me got to Europe, to be honest,� Twellman said. �I have said from day one that this is a good team. Not one of us here is irreplaceable.

"Steve Nicol is the one that does his job (to make it that way). Shalrie (Joseph) didn�t play last week and we (beat Houston) 2-0. It�s one of those things where everyone is part of a team. It�s 11 guys, its 18 guys, it�s 24 guys. Stevie deserves all the credit."

Twellman was the subject of repeated transfer bids from Preston North End of the English Championship in January. The offers which, according to published reports, increased in value from $1.675-$2.5 million, were rejected by MLS, to the player�s displeasure. The European transfer window opens on July 1 and Twellman is not hiding the hope he retains that he will get his overseas move.

In the meantime, however, Twellman�s priority is to return to playing action. Though he describes his rehabilitation as �day-to-day�, that does not mean his progress is always positive.

"You take it one day at a time and hopefully one day is better than the next. One day it is really good and then the next you have a step back, so to speak."

Seeking to accentuate the positive, Twellman is hopeful that his lengthy spell on the sidelines will see him return to action fitter than ever before. When he does, Revs fans will expect him to quickly rediscover the form that has seen him score 92 regular season and 10 playoff goals for the club.

Moreover and, perhaps, more importantly to New England supporters is the hope that it is their team, and not one in Europe, that reaps the benefits of a fit and firing Twellman.

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