Taylor Twellman, ESPN’s lead soccer match analyst for Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team, has agreed to an extension with ESPN through 2022, it was announced today by senior coordinating producer Amy Rosenfeld.
Twellman, who has quickly emerged as one of the sport’s top analysts, will continue his dual role as a match and studio analyst for ESPN’s television and digital platforms. He will call USMNT and MLS matches and work studio and games during ESPN’s presentation of the UEFA European Football Championship 2016 in France. Twellman will also remain a primary analyst for ESPN FC on TV, the company’s daily soccer news and information program.
“Taylor’s vast knowledge of the game – both American and world football overall, coupled with his passion for the sport and his ability to seamlessly transition from the booth to the studio make him a producer’s dream,” said Rosenfeld, who oversees ESPN’s soccer production. “We are delighted he chose to remain with ESPN.”
Twellman joined ESPN in November 2011, barely a year after his career as one of Major League Soccer’s most-prolific goal-scorers was prematurely cut short due to multiple concussions. His fresh, off-the-field perspective has since established him as one the country’s leading analysts via his work on U.S. Men’s National Team matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Twellman paired with acclaimed match commentator Ian Darke during the most-viewed soccer match ever on U.S. television – ESPN’s 2014 FIFA World Cup opening round telecast of USA vs. Portugal, seen by an average of 18,220,000 viewers in June. Twellman was also praised for his work in-studio during both UEFA EURO 2012 and on the “Last Call” set in Brazil this summer for his pointed analysis and candid remarks on head injuries and concussions in soccer.
“From Day 1 here at ESPN, I felt at home. I have been challenged, critiqued, and pushed to become a better broadcaster but more importantly I have enjoyed every second of it,” said Twellman. “I love the people I work with, the quality of programming and the sense of building a product together and ESPN’s commitment to soccer is long-standing and ultimately a great fit. I can’t wait for the next eight years”
Twellman played eight professional seasons for Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution where his scoring – 101 career goals – helped lead the team to its most-successful era from 2002-07. With Twellman at forward, the Revs played in four MLS Cups (2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007), two MLS Eastern Conference Finals (2003 and 2004), won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004 and the North American SuperLiga in 2008.
Twellman also played three seasons (1999-2002) with German Bundesliga club 1860 Munich.
Since his career-ending injury, Twellman has dedicated himself to raising awareness about the dangers of concussions and head injuries, particularly in soccer, through the THINKTAYLOR Foundation. He has become a sought-after speaker and international advocate for concussion awareness in sports.