well said. Yes, timing of runs is very impt but most people don't notice this. I think TnT is some kind of young genius at this because he is not SO fast, yet he is always breaking open at JUST the right moment. Teams now key on TT yet, his first step and timing still gets him open. Also, with respect to hunger, Joe-Max Moore set the standard by which all US strikers must be judged. And I would put TT right there with Joe-Max. His work-rate is outstanding.
I have to say, anyone who thinks that Donovan is going to be pushed back into the midfield is probably off. Unless he develops as an A-Mid, he will stay up top. I don't think you move a guy that gave you 2 and a half goals at the last WC. If anything, Quaranta moves into the A-Mid role, and Donovan is up top with Twellman. If Bruce is hell bent on having a big target forward, then maybe it is Buddle or Casey.
I have seen no evidence that Quaranta will be that outstanding. To my eyes, he looks good but just rather big and mature for his age. Johnson also has not yet done much, but his speed, power and skill are scary. He is the one I would bet among the very young guys. There is also an impt difference between potential and getting the job done.Twellman has put together one of the best seasons in MLS history... in his first full year as a D1 pro. Those other guys may do that but they have not yet. That is a difference.
By 2006, Johnson will be up there with Twellman, if not surpass him. In the few times I have seen him play, his talent has been evident in each game. The goal he scored against DC was a testament to his skill level. He brought down a chip off his chest and calmly put into the back o the net against an out of position Rimando and made it look easy.
Come on... who do you want... Sachin or Regis? On the Twellman line... I agree with whoever it was earlier that pointed out that Twellman has scored at every level of competition against which he's competed. Until someone stops this guy, I'm going to hope for the best. Lets face it, he scored a ton of goals on a team where he was the "only" scoring threat. You don't think other MLS teams were focusing on him? That he managed to do it without any real attack partner is scary.
C'mon... give Steve Ralston some credit here... the dude had 19 assists for the Rev... Without him, Twellman would be nothing... Don't forget, Ralston is the same guy that made Roy Lassister look pretty back in Tampa.
If it were really important to have a golden boot (goals) rather than a scoring leaders (goals & assists), the fans could step up and create the award. I don't think it's that important. I have no problem with rewarding players who also set up a goals for their teammates.
I'm not taking anything away from Ralston, but he's a midfielder. I meant without a true strike partner, someone to worry the defense and maybe make space for Taylor. Ralston has been great setting up goals, but everyone in the stadium knew who he was trying to get the ball to for the goal.
Twellman is the real thing. Yes, it helps to have a Ralston, but another way of looking at the same data is to say Ralston looks good (i.e., got a lot of assists) precisely because he had a work-a-holic goal scorer to whom he could pass. Twellman got one goal and an assist is the last game with Ralston missing. Granted, the goal was a PK, but he made the penalty happen. The assist was really his goal. It resulted from a fingertip keeper deflection off TT's beautiful far post shot. TT does not run in circles. He runs to create space and opportunity for his teammates, and for himself. I can't wait to seem him play up front with Donovan. They will be the most creative duo the USMNT has ever seen! On another topic, Casey C., what has he done since his **stellar** (yeah, right) Olympic performance? Wait and see if he ever matures.
it is true that Twellman didn't score 23 goals dribbling through the other team by himself. But it is also true that the Revs midfield will never be mistaken for that of Real Madrid. Even with Ralston( who I think is excellent), I would say that the Revs have a below average midfield by MLS standards. Twellman's service has not been particularly good overall, though Ralston has been the main bright spot. I think you have to give Taylor credit- he has scored some tough goals. Look at the last game- he scored( via a penalty he drew) in a 1 v 4 situation-dribbled 2 guys then got taken down.
I don't get it with Thorrington. He plays D3 ball, and was dropped by two good teams. Why the fascination with him? I am quite sure that many MLS players would get rave reviews in the A-league too. When he gets strong reviews from a D1 team, then get excited. I am sure we could troll out names from the lower divisions in Germany too.
Gee, didn't twellman played for a lower division in Germany? Who wouldn't say Thorrington can't do what Twellman did this year in MLS? Twellman is a decent player but Edson Buddle and Conor Casey will get call up over him.
Yes, Twellman did play D3 in Germany. And no one called for him then. Then he kicked ass at D1 MLS and people took note. Since Buddle and Twellman play in the same league and Twellman has had far more impact, what is the reason for thinking Buddle will be the man? AS for Twellman being a decent player... he has had the best offensive season any young American has ever had in MLS. One of the best ANY player has ever had in MLS. Yes, I guess he is decent.
as the top scorer in MLS TT deserves a call up in the next friendly. In his rookie year he lead the league, what else would he have to do to get called up? Score 30? Whether he is going to be successful at this level is up to him, but from what he's done he should get called for the US game in DC in November. I think that is close to being made official.
Again, you have to understand one great season in MLS didn't mean you're an automatic call up in Bruce Arena's mind... He looks for certain talent in a player... like i say, I think what Twellman brings are things we already have in our national team... therefore, he's not the call up material that every Revs fan think he is... If you look at Buddle's number per game, you'll be surprise.
Buddle is much younger than Twellman and didn't really start getting much PT until around halfway through this season. But look at his numbers now that he's been getting PT.
Yep. Having seen all the home Rev's games this year, I agree with those who say good things about him. One thing that strikes me is his balance. He plays with a low center of gravity. Defenders knock him off the ball only by fouling him. It's a style that reminds me a bit of McBride. But that's the good news... The bad news is that The Bruce hasn't sounded enthusiastic recently. I read a quote in SoccerAmerica recently where Bruce said something like "I saw Twellman play in college and I am surprised he is doing this well professionally. We'll see if he can play well internationally." (I'm paraphrasing). So, yes, Twellman will get a call-up or two, but it looks like he's really got to prove something to Arena. Kind of a Chris-Albright-in-reverse. Bruce gave Albright lots of chances, even when he didn't show much. Let's hope that Bruce doesn't give up on Twellman without giving him that same number of chances.
No pleasing some people... Yep. Bruce said TT was the second most valuable player in MLS. He must really, really hate him. No callups for TT!
Re: No pleasing some people... I read the whole interview and thought the tone of Bruce's comments was a little condescending to tell the truth. Like he had always thought TT wasn't very good and had been surprised. Well, as someone above noted, he can add TT to Albright on the list of surprises.
You could read the interview as Bruce admitting he had been wrong. You could also read it as a complement that the player had worked so hard and improved so much. But then one might have to admit that Arena is not the sort of coach who would make up his mind about a player once and for all based on his play in college.