SOCCER: TWELLMAN IS SWELL MAN MLS MVP HAS A GOAL AND TWO ASSISTS IN U.S. VICTORY U.S. 3, JAPAN 2.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - Taylor Twellman's hat trick two weeks ago for the U.S. national team took him from intriguing prospect to potential World Cup striker, but it came against a young, slow-footed Norwegian team so ineffective that it said only so much.

Twellman's performance in Friday night's 3-2 victory over fellow World Cup qualifier Japan, a far more capable foe, spoke many more volumes about what his blend of grit, tenacity and superb finishing touch could mean for the Americans in Germany come June.

Major League Soccer's MVP set up first-half goals by Eddie Pope and New England Revolution teammate Clint Dempsey, then added one of his own - his fifth in four U.S. games - early in the second half as the U.S. subdued the Japanese in front of 37,365 fans at SBC Park.

Japan added two goals in the final half-hour, the last in stoppage time, to make the score more palatable, but it did little to obscure another impressive showing by the U.S. team, playing its third match of the year.

Dempsey, also impressive in the 5-0 rout of Norway on Jan. 29 at Home Depot Center, caused Japan's backline havoc much of the night, but it was Twellman's show, again, and he didn't disappoint.

The first goal, in the 24th minute, came from a long ball by Galaxy left back Todd Dunivant into the Japanese box. Twellman, his back to the goal, hunched over to head it onto the path of Pope, and the veteran defender drilled it past Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.

Fifteen mintues, Twellman played a gorgeous give-and-go with Dempsey, who fed the striker at the top of the box and raced past a defender for the return.

Twellman made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half, diving into Landon Dovovan's corner kick and heading it sharply into the net.

Japan, missing most of its big-name stars but featuring midfielder Shinji Ono - Japan's soccer legend - dictated play the first 10 minutes before the U.S., utilizing Dempsey and Pat Noonan on the flanks, took charge.

The Japanese, with many fans in the SBC stands, received goals in the 61st minute by Seiichiro Maki, who beat Chris Klein to Akira Kaji's cross, and Yuji Nakazawa seconds before the final whistle.

Forward Eddie Johnson, who had seen limited action since suffering a foot injury last spring, then sustained a calf injury in a 0-0 draw with Canada three weeks ago in San Diego, made his return in the second half.

Scott French, [phone]

scott.french(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

The United States' Landon Donovan dribbles between Japan's Yasuhito Endo, left, and Makoto Tanaka during the first half.

Dino Vournas/Associated Press