by Jeff Dieffenbach
The US MNT player pool contains a solid lot of dynamic young offensive talent, both established (e.g., DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis, Josh Wolff) and up and coming (e.g., Bobby Convey,
Ben Olsen, and Santino Quaranta). For all the skills of this fine group, however, none appears ready to succeed Brian McBride as a strong airborne force.
Except perhaps one. Consider Taylor Twellman and the parallels to McBrides rise.
US MNT Air Force: Current and Future? |
Brian McBride |
Attribute |
Taylor Twellman |
6' 0" 175 pounds |
Size |
5' 11" 170 pounds |
Physically strong, Skilled in the air |
Style |
Physically strong, Skilled in the air |
St. Louis University |
St. Louis connection |
St. Louis native |
Parade All-American |
High school laurels |
Two-time Parade All-American |
Before joining MLS, 2 years with German side Vfl Wolfsberg |
European pedigree |
Before joining MLS, 2 years with German side TSV 1860 Munich |
1996 inaugural draft first overall pick |
MLS arrival |
2002 SuperDraft second overall pick |
17 goals, 3 assists, 2-time Player of the Week |
MLS debut season |
23 goals, 6 assists, 2-time Player of the Week |
Cap: March 1993 Goal: November 1996 |
First cap First MNT goal |
Cap: November 2002 Goal: TBD |
In three outings with the MNT, Twellman is yet to exhibit the flair-in-the-air that carried him to the top of the scoring table in MLS 2002. Nonetheless, he hopes hes won another chance to impress in the March 29 friendly against Japan. His similarity to McBride no doubt has helped him catch the eye of coach Arena.
More than a year before meeting on the pitch in the 2002 MLS campaign, McBride and Twellman nearly almost crossed paths in February of 2001. Twellmans TSV 1860 Munich side hosted a McBride-less Columbus Crew. Twellman took full advantage of the spotlight, poking home the only goal in a 1-0 win.
Barring an extension of McBrides highly successful stint with Everton in the English Premiership, the pair will likely meet again in the Revolutions home opener on April 19th. While the elder strikers career is far from done, look carefully at the beginning of the changing of the guard.