No surprise here, but Dynamo center back Jermaine Taylor has been named to the 25-man roster for Jamaican's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Panama and Costa Rica. The 28-year-oldn defender has been a staple for the Reggae Boyz senior squad, earning more than 50 caps during his international career.
Jamaica is currently tied for second in their CONCACAF hexagonal qualifying group, after earning a 0-0 draw vs. Mexico at Estadio Azteca on February 6. Taylor started and played 90 minutes in the match.
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The Reggae Boyz will continue their run to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a home match vs. Panama on March 22 and a difficult road match vs. Costa Rica on March 26 at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. The top three teams from the group will advance to the World Cup with the fourth place team playing a one-game playoff with the winner of the Oceania qualifiers.
Taylor is one of four Major League Soccer players to be named to the preliminary roster. He is joined by Portland Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, Timbers forward Ryan Johnson and former Dynamo midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson, who was traded to FC Dallas in February.
Taylor told MLSsoccer.com's Darrell Lovell that he will join Jamaica after Sunday's Dynamo-FC Dallas match in Frisco. The Dynamo center back will miss Houston's March 23 match vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps, but will return in time for the March 31 home match vs. the San Jose Earthquakes.
