Twellman return is a success
He produces a goal in Revolution's win
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Taylor Twellman still has his scoring instincts.
Twellman, making his first starting appearance of the season for the Revolution, scored in the 67th minute of a 3-0 victory over the Richmond Kickers in a US Open Cup game last night before 3,950 at Veterans Stadium.
Extensive thunder showers caused kickoff to be delayed nearly two hours, referee Tony Russo signaling the start at 8:49. The field was slick, but the only extensive puddle remaining was in front of the Revolution bench.
"The goal didn't matter," Twellman said. "I just wanted to be strong, hold up the ball. I got kicked a couple times and that was fun.
"Playing [73] minutes is pretty good. The field was wet and heavy, but it was fun to be back."
Coach Steve Nicol said Twellman could be in the lineup when the Revolution visit the Los Angeles Galaxy Friday. Twellman has played only 56 minutes in MLS games this season, missing the start of the season because of knee surgery, then sustaining a severe ankle sprain after scoring May 11 against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif.
The Revolution used mostly backups last night, yet produced the largest margin of victory in an Open Cup game since their 7-1 win over the Mid Michigan Bucks June 27, 2001, at Foxboro Stadium. The Revolution will meet Crystal Palace Baltimore in a quarterfinal match at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
"The team is doing well," Twellman said. "[Nicol] laughs at me, but I told him I just want to make the team when I get back. No one person on this team is irreplaceable."
Richmond played with a one-forward alignment, but produced one of the best threats of the first half as Andrew Bumbut broke in alone on goalkeeper Doug Warren in the 19th minute, Warren advancing near the edge of the penalty area to make the stop.
Twellman took a turn and fired a left-footer wide in the seventh minute and earned a corner off a Joe Germanese cross. But Twellman squandered a chance in the goal area, failing to control a Chris Tierney cross in the 30th minute.
The Revolution began the second half aggressively, Tierney earning a corner with a left-wing run. Tierney then sent an outswinging corner kick, Sam Brill slamming the header past goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale 50 seconds in.
Chase Hilgenbrinck set up the second goal, advancing from his left back position and crossing, the ball skipping past a defender, Germanese sending a shot under Pascale in the 63d minute. Hilgenbrinck advanced four minutes later to start the sequence leading to Twellman's goal. Hilgenbrinck found Tierney, Twellman heading off the underside of the crossbar, increasing his career US Open Cup goal total to a Revolution-best seven.
Warren was making his fifth appearance since joining the Revolution in 2005. Warren has followed the example of starter Matt Reis, who was a backup with the Los Angeles Galaxy for most of five seasons before being traded. Reis became the Revolution starter in 2005 and has played 7,740 consecutive minutes, an MLS record.
"It was tough warming up for 20 minutes, then coming in to the locker room for 30 minutes, then going back out for 20 minutes and coming back in," Warren said of the delays. "It was hard on the muscles and legs and also hard on the brain because you don't know if you are going to play.
"But we settled down and got the ball wide in the second half, and you saw the results."
Warren last played for the Revolution in a 2-1 loss at Chicago in a US Open Cup match Aug. 23, 2006, the Fire's Andy Herron scoring the deciding goal on a 58th-minute penalty kick. Warren has performed in as many games (four) for the Kickers, playing on loan from D.C. United during the 2003 season, as he has for the Revolution since joining them in '05.
Andrew Marshall (18th minute) and Gary Brooks (75th) scored for Crystal Palace Baltimore in a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Crystal Palace played a man down after former Revolution forward Ibrahim Kante was red-carded in the 34th minute . . . The Columbus Crew are attempting to sign former Revolution striker Pat Noonan, who is with Aalesund FK in Norway. The deal is pending an agreement between MLS and Aalesund. "If the league signs him, we have his rights, meaning we can keep him or trade him," Revolution director of soccer Mike Burns said . . . Former Revolution midfielder Luke Vercollone was in the Kickers' starting lineup.
