Wahl: Harkes Out, Twellman In As Lead ESPN Soccer Analyst, Dellacamera Set To Stay With Union And FSC
by Scott Kessler on Nov 21, 2011 3:47 PM EST
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Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl is reporting that Philadelphia Union color commentator Taylor Twellman is set to be promoted to lead ESPN soccer analyst, as John Harkes will not have his contract renewed with the company.
Harkes has long been a target of criticism from US Soccer fans for what has been seen as a career spent interjecting himself into story lines and less than stellar analysis on air. The US Soccer Hall of Famer, who officially retired from professional soccer in 2003, has been an analyst with ESPN in some capacity since 2006.
The new opening gives Twellman, who was forced out of professional play in 2010 due to symptoms related to multiple concussions he suffered, the opportunity to be ESPN's lead in-game analyst, working alongside current play-by-play announcer Ian Darke. Twellman has spent the last year and a half working various broadcasting jobs to hone his on-TV skills, including this past season as in-game analyst with Union play-by-play man JP Dellacamera, who is set to stay with the Union and Fox Soccer Channel, also according to Wahl.
The Brotherly Game has contacted Twellman about the promotion's potential to affect his work with the Union, but the former New England Revolution great has not yet responded.
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Congrats to Twellman
He’s so much better than Harkes in the booth.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Agree 100%
Twellman is one of my favorite commentators regardless of sport because he doesn’t sugar-coat his analysis. Its certainly a fresh approach to an overly PC world where everyone has to be congratulated for participating, haha. I will be disappointed if Twellman is no longer with the Union but I would certainly wish him well and look forward to the improvement over Harkes for USMNT games + World Cups.
by Domin8ing the Big Ten(11) on Nov 21, 2011 3:55 PM EST reply actions
Wahl is saying Arlo White / Martino
Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank
by Scott Kessler on Nov 21, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
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