Twellman, Rigby join Union broadcast team

 Recently retired Major League Soccer and U.S. Men’s National Team forward Taylor Twellman and Philadelphia soccer legend Bob Rigby will join Philadelphia Union play by play commentator JP Dellacamera in the booth for the 2011 season, the club announced today. The fastest player in MLS history to score 100 goals, Twellman will serve as color analyst, while Rigby, a former member of the Philadelphia Atoms, will provide the club’s sideline report, as well as some studio commentary.

"Expanding our television programming this year was very important to our fans and we are very excited to add Taylor and Bob to our broadcast team,” said Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “They are both highly respected and accomplished former professional players and will provide meaningful insight and commentary."

Twellman retired from Major League Soccer in 2010 after nine seasons with the New England Revolution. The 2005 MLS Most Valuable Player scored 101 career goals in 174 career appearances since joining MLS in 2002. He was also a two-time MLS Best XI performer (2002, 2005) and a five-time MLS All-Star. As a rookie, Twellman scored 23 goals and added six assists in 28 games and was runner-up for MLS MVP and the first MLS scoring champion in team history while leading the squad to its first-ever MLS Cup appearance.

Prior to MLS, he played two seasons with TSV 1860 Munich in Germany where he made more than 40 appearances with the club's reserve side. On the international level, Twellman earned 30 caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team between 2002 and 2008, scoring six goals. He was an alternate to the U.S.’ 2006 FIFA World Cup squad, and was a member of the winning 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup team.

After launching his broadcast career last season, Twellman covered several matches for ESPN as well as the World Cup for Comcast SportsNet New England. In addition to his duties with the Union, Twellman will also serve as an in-studio host for ESPN’s MLS Game of the Week broadcasts.

Considered to be among the most talented goalkeepers to ever take the pitch for the United States, Rigby was the first ever American-born soccer player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. An All-American at East Stroudsburg University, he was the top pick in the North American Soccer League’s (NASL) 1973 draft and led the Philadelphia Atoms to a League title in his first season behind his impressive 0.62 goals against average.

Rigby went on to play 12 seasons in the NASL with many of soccer’s elite, including Pele, George Best and Eusebio. Rigby played on the U.S. Men’s National Team and participated in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. His first of six total caps came on November 3, 1973 against Haiti.

Both Twellman and Rigby will write featured blogs for www.philadelphiaunion.com, joining Dellacamera’s Play by Play Plus.

The Union begin the 2011 season at the Houston Dynamo on March 19th and return home to open PPL Park on March 26th against MLS newcomer Vancouver Whitecaps.