Staying power: Twellman scores new deal
Taylor Twellman has signed a contract that will place him among the highest-paid players in Major League Soccer. When Twellman makes his first appearance at preseason training today, the Revolution are expected to announce the signing of their all-time leading scorer to a four-year contract worth about $300,000 per year.
Twellman, who turns 27 at the end of the month, has scored 82 goals in 147 regular-season and playoff games since joining the Revolution in 2002, making him the highest-scoring US player in first-division soccer in the last five years. Though Twellman was not selected for the US team in the World Cup last year, his national team performances against Norway (three goals) and Japan (one goal, two assists) made him attractive to overseas teams.
"It was a long process and kind of drawn out, but all I have been asking all along is to be paid what my fair market value would be," Twellman said yesterday. "Staying with New England was ultimately what my goal was even at the beginning of talks of going to Europe. I wasn't asking for Landon Donovan or David Beckham type of money. I am being paid for what I have done and what I will do in the future."
Twellman had one year remaining on an annual contract worth about $180,000 that made him the Revolution's highest-paid player and 28th on the league payroll list. He earned the league minimum $24,000 (before bonuses) his first two seasons. The league maximum salary is about $300,000, but "designated players" can be paid more. Twellman will receive the maximum contract for a nondesignated player.
"I am blessed with great teammates and coaches and I am glad the Krafts pulled the trigger on this," Twellman said. "They have put together a great team with great guys. We don't have any egos and we all work for each other and work hard. If we keep doing that, we are moving in the right direction. We need to get back to MLS Cup and score one more goal than the other team. [The team advanced to the MLS Cup the last two seasons, losing in extra time in 2005 and on penalty kicks last year.]
"Playing forward is not about having an ego, it's about not having a conscience about things. I can't have a big ego -- my family and my wife won't let me."
Last season, Twellman scored 19 times in 44 games in all competitions, leaving the team briefly to attend the funeral of his grandfather, Jim Delsing, a former major league baseball player.
Twellman underwent hernia surgery after the Revolution's penalty kick loss to Houston in the MLS Cup last year and was on the US national team bench last week for a 2-0 win over Mexico in Glendale, Ariz.
"I was a little behind fitness-wise, but I wanted to go to [US national team] camp and see what it was all about," Twellman said. "I hope I can come back and give it a shot at the next camp."
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 
