PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers defenders Alvas Powell and Jermaine Taylor have been named to the Jamaica Men’s National Team roster for a pair of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, it was announced today.
Powell and Taylor will join Jamaica for a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Panama on Friday, Sept. 2, at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific). Following its away contest against Panama, Jamaica will return home for its final qualifying match of the fourth round, facing Haiti on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Jamaica’s National Stadium, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. (Pacific).
Since making his international debut on Dec. 10, 2012, Powell has earned 25 caps for Jamaica, including starting both World Cup qualifying third-round matches against Nicaragua in September 2015. Most recently, Powell earned consecutive starts against Costa Rica during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying on March 25 and March 29.
Taylor, 31, made his international debut for Jamaica in 2004 after ascending through the youth national team ranks. A regular presence in the back line for the Reggae Boyz, Taylor has earned 87 caps for Jamaica, most recently starting in three consecutive games against Venezuela, Mexico and Uruguay during the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Additionally, Taylor has been part of three Caribbean Cup-winning teams for Jamaica (2005, 2010 and 2014), appeared in nine matches during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying and made three appearances during the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage.
In 2016, Taylor has made 19 appearances (19 starts) for the Timbers, playing 90 minutes in each of those games. Since joining MLS in 2011, Taylor has made 125 appearances, starting 120 times. Powell, 22, has started 16 times in 16 appearances this season, recently recording an assist against Seattle Sounders FC on Aug. 21. Since joining the Timbers in 2013, Powell has made 62 starts in 67 games played.
