Reggae Boy Taylor own goal hurts Portland

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts, CMC – Jamaican international Jermaine Taylor scored a late own goal as New England Revolution snatched a share of the points in their MLS Soccer clash with Portland Timbers here Wednesday night.

The 31-year-old central defender put the ball past his own ’keeper in the 89th minute, dashing Portland’s hopes of picking up only their third win of the season. Following a goal-less first at the Gillette Stadium, the visitors grabbed the lead in the 64th minute through Jack Barmby’s maiden MLS goal, having come off the bench just two minutes earlier.

Reggae Boy Jermaine Taylor … his own goal helped New England earn a draw against Portland Timbers.
Reggae Boy Jermaine Taylor … his own goal helped New England earn a draw against Portland Timbers.

Fanendo Ali played in Darlington Nagbe down the right and the midfielder curled a cross into the box which found Barmby who volleyed on the full, to beat goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth with a bouncing shot.

The lead held until one minute from full-time when Taylor unfortunately knocked the ball into his own nets.

Kelyn Rowe put up a beautiful cross from about 30-yards out at the far post where Jamaican international Je-Vaughn Watson hooked the ball back to keep it in play.

Femi Hollinger-Janzen looked to have gotten the last touch in a goal-mouth scramble but the ball actually struck Taylor on the thigh and beat goalkeeper Jake Gleeson.

Taylor is one of the Reggae Boyz’ leading players, having been capped over 80 times. He joined Portland last year following five seasons with Houston Dynamo.