Episode 211: Taylor Twellman Previews the World Cup and Shinnecock
6/3/202649 min
How big of a golf sicko is Apple TV’s lead soccer analyst Taylor Twellman? In 2018, Twellman—who retired in 2010 as MLS's all-time leading scorer and was at that point at ESPN—unleashed what is still the most viral rant in US soccer history when the Americans failed to make the World Cup. What most don’t know is that the next day he was set to embark on a four-day golf bender through Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Sebonack and Friar's Head. The rant made him an overnight sensation, and forced Twellman to stay in the studio. But as he explains to TGJ’s Travis Hill, he’s so hooked on golf that he’ll forever regret missing the trip. In this episode, Twellman discusses the importance of golf in his life, breaks down how the USMNT can make a run at the 2026 World Cup, and explains why Argentina is the Bryson DeChambeau of this summer’s competition.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsTaylor Twellman· Guest0:00
I had a boondoggle from the Shinnecock Sabonic Friars Head National.
Tom Coyne· Host0:06
[laughs] Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Taylor Twellman· Guest0:09
And I'm watching- That- And when the first goal goes in, it doesn't really resonate with me, so I'm completely neutered that US is losing 1-0. Then- Right ... Messi and Argentina are losing at the exact same time, 1-0. [laughs] And I'm thinking, "Oh, my God. ESPN's gonna have me do all these shows the next day. Messi and Argentina out."
Tom Coyne· Host0:31
Yeah.
Taylor Twellman· Guest0:31
Messi and Argentina tie, they go up to one. I'm like, "I'm fine." Then Trinidad- Right ... scores its 2-0. And then it hit me. Panama was just given up a... given a goal that never occurred. They're winning 2-1, and then someone in the newsroom, it was like Scott Van Pelt and a bun- bunch of other, other people, they said, "Hey, by the way, if the result holds, the US fails to qualify." And I had... I was like, "Oh, my... What?" [laughs] And, and, and, and I'm being completely transparent here. My first thought was, "Oh, shit. I'm not gonna play in the golf tournament."
Tom Coyne· Host1:03
[upbeat jazz music] Welcome back to the Golfers Journal podcast presented by Titleist, the number one ball in golf. My name's Tom Coy. Thanks so much for joining us. I know we're all very golf-focused this time of year, but let's not forget, this is a big year for soccer or football, depending on where you're listening. The World Cup, it's of course coming to North America, and we've got Taylor Twellman on the podcast