Jermaine Taylor
- Years with club: 2017
- Position: Defender (Centre-Back / Right-Back)
- Nationality: Jamaican
- Acquisition: Signed as a free agent on January 24, 2017
Jermaine Taylor is a highly experienced Jamaican international defender who joined Minnesota United FC for their inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season in 2017. A versatile player capable of playing all across the backline, primarily as a center-back or right-back, Taylor brought a wealth of MLS experience from his successful stints with the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers. His arrival was intended to provide veteran leadership and stability to the Loons’ expansion defense.
Key stats with Minnesota United (MLS):
- MLS regular season appearances: 14 (6 starts)
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
- Total minutes played: 677
- Departure: Contract option was not renewed at the end of the 2017 season.
Memorable moments:
- MLS veteran: Prior to Minnesota, he made over 100 appearances for the Houston Dynamo, helping them reach back-to-back Eastern Conference championships in 2011 and 2012.
- International centurion: Taylor is a highly decorated player for the Jamaica national team, having earned over 100 caps (or very close to it, sources vary slightly) and featuring prominently in multiple CONCACAF Gold Cup and Caribbean Cup tournaments. He was part of the squad that was runner-up in the 2015 and 2017 Gold Cups.
- Defensive versatility: His ability to switch between center-back and outside-back was a valuable asset in the early days of the club’s MLS expansion.
Where is he now?:
- After leaving Minnesota United, Taylor signed with USL Championship side Austin Bold FC in 2019, where he was a defensive anchor and played 64 matches before leaving the club at the end of the 2021 season.
- Taylor retired from professional soccer on December 1, 2021.
- He is currently retired and there is no public information on a current coaching or technical role, though he lives in the United States and continues to be involved in the soccer community.
