PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers defender Jermaine Taylor has been named to the Jamaica Men’s National Team roster for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, it was announced today.
Taylor and Jamaica will open the 2016 Copa America Centenario, the oldest international continental soccer competition in the world, on Sunday, June 5, taking on Venezuela at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., at 2 p.m. (Pacific). Following the match against Venezuela, Jamaica will then face Mexico on June 9 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., at 7 p.m. (Pacific), before concluding the group stage against Uruguay on June 13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., at 7 p.m. (Pacific).
Heading into the 2016 Copa America, Taylor will join Jamaica for a preparation match against Chile on Friday, May 27, at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. (Pacific).
Taylor, 31, made his international debut for Jamaica in 2004 after ascending through the youth national team ranks. A presence in the back line for the Reggae Boyz, Taylor has earned 84 caps for Jamaica, including three appearances during the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage. Additionally, Taylor has been part of three Caribbean Cup-winning teams for Jamaica (2005, 2010 and 2014) and appeared in nine matches during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
In 2016, Taylor has made 10 appearances (10 starts) for the Timbers, playing 90 minutes in each of those games. Since joining MLS in 2011, Taylor has made 116 appearances, starting 111 times.
