Houston Dynamo forward Giles Barnes and defender Jermaine Taylor have been called up to the Jamaica national team for a pair of friendly matches this weekend. The Reggae Boyz host Venezuela on Friday and Cuba on Monday at Montego Bay Sports Complex in Jamaica.
It is the first Jamaica call-up for Barnes, who was born in England but has Jamaican ancestry. Last season, Barnes earned Dynamo MVP, Players’ Player of the Year, Golden Boot and Ironman of the Year awards. The London native has 21 goals and nine assists in 74 career regular-season appearances with the Dynamo. Barnes, 26, has appeared in 60 consecutive regular-season games and made 48 consecutive starts in all competitions.
Taylor, 30, has earned 77 caps for the Jamaica national team. The versatile defender started four games and converted a penalty kick in a shootout win as Jamaica won the 2014 Caribbean Cup last November. Taylor has appeared in 93 regular-season games in five seasons with the Dynamo.
The pair are scheduled to rejoin the Dynamo next week ahead of the club’s road game against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, April 4.
The Dynamo host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium. For tickets, click here or call 713-276-GOAL.
