Veteran defender eyeing recall to national team

Veteran defender Jermaine Taylor is targeting a recall to Jamaica’s senior men’s national team despite being in the twilight of his career.

The 35-year-old former St George’s FC and Harbour View centre back has found a new lease on life in the United States Soccer League with new team Austin Bold FC.

Taylor, who is in his second season with the Bold, says he is ready to don the national colours once more after playing his last international for the Reggae Boyz three years ago in the Gold Cup.

“I am fit and ready and I am probably in the best shape of my life. Yes, I am 35 but I am not ready to retire and I will never turn down an international call-up,” said Taylor.

Taylor, who was one of the outstanding players during that 2017 Gold Cup, was named in the team of that tournament, and the bustling defender said he has found a new lease on life in the game after taking a hiatus back in 2018.

“I stepped away from the game back in 2018 just to spend more time with my family and do some travelling but I got this opportunity to join this new franchise and I decided to give it my all. Right now, I am the captain of the team and I looking to see out my three-year contract and take things from there,” added Taylor.

Having watched some of local Premier League games online from his base in Austin Texas, Taylor says the local players need more opportunity if they are to do well on the national stage.

“I feel a veteran presence in the set up will help our young local defenders because when I came into the team in 2002, Ian Goodison was there to guide me, but what I am seeing is that a lot of these young talented local defenders lack composure and I feel giving them more minutes with experienced players around them will make them better.”

The former Houston Dynamo, Portland Timbers and Minnesota United defender said he was not heard from anyone from the JFF in years. However, he is still optimistic that coach Theodore Whitmore and the JFF still have him in their plans.

“The last time I spoke to anyone was Warren Barrett back in 2018 and I was letting him know that I am still not done, I am doing my best to keep in shape and hopefully if that call comes, I am ready.”

– L.A.