Nov. 3, 2010 – Taylor Twellman announces retirement
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
Taylor Twellman displayed a fierce competitive streak and exceptional goal-scoring instinct during a career cut short by injury.
After beginning his professional career with TSV 1860 Munich, Twellman joined the Revolution in 2002, 28 years after his uncle, Steve, played for the Boston Minutemen. Twellman scored 99 goals in his first seven seasons with the Revolution, then returned to convert two goals in two appearances during the 2009 season. Twellman replaced Pat Phelan after halftime and, though visibly off his game, converted in the 57th and 64th minutes of a 4-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in his final match on June 7, 2009.
Twellman sustained seven concussions, the decisive one during the Revolution’s 2-2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 30, 2008. Twellman headed in a 22nd-minute goal while absorbing a punch from Steve Cronin, who broke his hand on the play. Twellman continued to perform, scoring three goals in the final eight games of the season, but did not compete in the playoffs and his career was effectively over at age 28.
Twellman announced his retirement at a Gillette Stadium press conference attended by his family and several former teammates, plus Revolution owners Jonathan and Robert Kraft. Twellman said he was advised by Emerson Hospital neurologist Dr. Robert Cantu, a concussion specialist.
Twellman totaled 101 goals in 174 regular-season games and 119 goals in 211 matches in all competitions for the Revolution. Twellman scored in double figures in each season from 2002-07, often overcoming injuries, and even converting two goals in a game while playing with a broken foot in 2003. Twellman totaled six goals (one hat trick) in 30 matches for the U.S., performing in the 2003 Confederations Cup while suffering from undiagnosed sinusitis/walking pneumonia. In 2011, Twellman founded the ThinkTaylor foundation, a concussion awareness charitable organization, and works as an ESPN-TV commentator. Chris Aduama photo
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