TWELLMAN DOES TRICK FOR U.S. AMERICAN'S THREE GOALS SPARK WIN OVER NORWAY U.S. 5, NORWAY 0.

Byline: Scott French Staff Writer

CARSON - Taylor Twellman always has had a knack for scoring goals, at the University of Maryland and in Major League Soccer, but there long have been questions about his ability to do so at the international level.

On Sunday, he answered the doubts, scoring three times - twice in the first 17 minutes- to lead the U.S. national soccer team in a 5-0 rout of Norway in front of 16,366 at Home Depot Center.

The Americans, so disappointing in their 2006 opener against Canada a week earlier, gave a mesmerizing performance, dominating their foe in every way imaginable and lodging the most lopsided U.S. win over an European opponent since they first kicked a ball 90 years ago.

At the center was Twellman, who tucked home a Clint Dempsey pass in the fifth minute and scored on headers from a Todd Dunivant free kick in the 17th and Pat Noonan's cross in the 76th.

``He's certainly capable,'' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said of Twellman. ``He's a guy who's good around the goal. ... He scored three goals. That's sometimes how you're graded as a striker, and if that's the case, he gets an A for today. All three goals were great.''

``I think getting an early goal helps any forward,'' said Josh Wolff, who was partnered up front with Twellman. ``He has that killer instinct. Once he gets one, he wants them all. ... He was different class in front of the goal today.''

Twellman has scored 64 goals in 98 games with the New England Revolution and been MLS's top goal-scorer in three of his four seasons, including the most recent, when he netted 17 and was voted league MVP. It took him 13 appearances with the U.S. team before he finally found the net, in a World Cup qualifier against Panama in October, and Sunday's showing gives him four in his past two games.

``I had to get comfortable in my surroundings, and my teammates had to get comfortable with me,'' said Twellman, who also tracked back on defense, halting a would-be Norwegian breakaway by tackling the ball away from Petter Vaagan Moen late in the first half. ``It was a matter of being patient, and I just thank God I was.

``My job is to get in front of the goal and get chances. If the ball goes in the back of the net, great. If it doesn't, (you) show up the next day and keep doing it.''

Twellman was far from the only standout for the U.S., which outshot a young, seemingly weary Norwegian team 24-2 and could have finished with seven or eight goals, perhaps more.

Dempsey, Twellman's New England teammate, was revelatory on the right flank, Kerry Zavagnin was superb at holding midfielder, and outside backs Dunivant and Frankie Hejduk caused Norway fits with runs up the flank.

Dunivant, making his international debut, assisted on two goals, also feeding defender Eddie Pope's strike following a corner kick in the 67th minute. Chris Klein came off the bench to score the fifth, from Landon Donovan's feed, in the 87th.

Dempsey hit the crossbar with a ferocious shot in the first half, and he scored on a second-half header that was denied because of an offside call.

``You know, every game's different,'' Arena said. ``I think we have a good team, and if healthy, we're going to have a good showing at the World Cup.

``I don't think you look at one game and determine where a team is at. Today was just a good statement by some of our domestic players, and it puts them in a favorable light in terms of positioning themselves for the World Cup roster.''

Scott French, [phone]

scott.french(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Taylor Twellman of the U.S., left, tries to get past Norway's Brede Hangeland during the first half Sunday. Twellman had three goals in a 5-0 U.S. victory.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News