ROOKIES
- 3/7: Evan Newton
- 3/8: Alex Dixon
- 3/9: Josue Soto
- 3/10: Will Bruin
- 3/11: Kofi Sarkodie
NEWCOMERS
- 3/14: Jordan Graye
- 3/15: Jason Garey
- 3/16: Colin Clark
- 3/17: Hunter Freeman
- 3/18: Jermaine Taylor
As the 2011 season draws closer, HoustonDynamo.com will introduce you to the newest members of the Dynamo roster. With 10 players who have yet to play a game for the Dynamo, the squad will feature a new look in 2011.
This week we look at five players who the Dynamo either traded for or signed and have yet to represent the team. With just one day until Opening Day, we look at Jamaican center back Jermaine Taylor, expected to start in his Dynamo debut on Saturday.
A veteran of international soccer with Jamaican national teams, Taylor made his professional debut at the age of 19 and played with St. George's and Harbour View in Jamaica, including a stint playing with Lovel Palmer. Taylor has made 37 appearances for Jamaica and was recently called up for upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and El Salvador.
Spotted by Dominic Kinnear at the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the soft-spoken Taylor is sturdy and steady at the back, quietly going about his business and shutting down opposing attacks. He has also showed a calm touch on the ball; it was his left-footed cross that led to Will Bruin's opener against New England on Sunday.
Jermaine Taylor player bio
MEET JERMAINE TAYLOR
Video interview with Jermaine Taylor
HD.com:
Give us a bit about your background in soccer.
Jermaine:
I was born and raised in Portland. Being around my family, they were all soccer
players. From there, I really started playing from being around them from when
I was a kid. From school teams I got drafted to Jamaican national teams and
continued taking steps from there.
HD.com:
Tell us about some of your soccer memories.
Jermaine:
I spent a lot of time with the national team going all over, getting a lot of
experience and a lot of exposure, and even going down to South Africa, which we
call the mother land for black people, so it’s a good run and I’m enjoying it.
HD.com:
Your family plays soccer, and you had a cousin play in Major League Soccer.
What have you heard from them that’s helped your game and specifically what did
you hear from Fabian about MLS?
Jermaine:
When Fabian came into MLS, I was playing for Harbour View with Lovel Palmer.
Fabian came back and told us about his experience here and the MLS. He told us
what to expect and what not to expect. He always said MLS is a good league for
young players who want to move up. That gave us motivation, and now I’m here,
and it’s my time to do my best for the Dynamo.
HD.com:
You’ve played a lot and played in big games for Jamaica; what does wearing that
jersey mean to you?
Jermaine:
It’s a lot of pride and honor. All the people back home would like to have a
chance to play for their country. Back in Jamaica, we say, ‘Your heart skips a
beat’ when you do things like that and go in front of your home crowd with
people at home supporting you. It’s a good feeling.
ARCHIVE: Jamaican Taylor brings poise to back line
HD.com:
What are some players you looked up to and watched while growing up as a soccer
player?
Jermaine:
Lucio, who plays for Inter Milan. I always tried to emulate Lucio; he’s a
pretty tough guy. On the field, I like his attitude, and I like his work rate. Sometimes
when I sit and watch Inter play AC Milan in one of those derby games, I watch the
moves he makes and the way he organizes his back line and the players in front
of him. Any time I step on the field, I try to do the things he does, because
it makes his game easy, so Lucio’s my guy.
HD.com:
What have been your early impressions of Houston?
Jermaine:
Last season I watched Houston play a couple of games, and as Dominic [Kinnear] said,
it was a rough season for them last year. I’m here now to try and fit in as
best as possible and play in the positions that Dom wants me to play. It’s a
good team, I like the players here, and the weather conditions are good. I feel
like it’s a home away from home, so I’m trying to enjoy it. When I get my
chance, I want to do my best for the Dynamo. I’m proud and happy to be here for
all the fans, and with good support, everything will be alright.
