HOUSTON, Texas (CMC):

Jermaine Taylor is expected to bring some stability to the Houston Dynamo's defence for the upcoming Major League Soccer season in the United States.

The 26-year-old Taylor completed a transfer from Jamaica's National Premier League club St Georges this week, and his defensive skills are expected to fortify a Dynamo backline that was the second-worst last season.

Taylor is not too concerned about adjusting to the rigours of the MLS, which plays at a faster pace than the NPL.

nothing different

"I have seen (the game) before, and I know I can adapt," he said. "The game of football is pretty easy, and it's nothing different here.

It's a little different back in Jamaica. The play is sometimes lackadaisical, and the emotion is a little different; (in MLS) the play is kind of fast."

Taylor will link-up with compatriot Lovel Palmer, who is in his second season with the Dynamo.

Palmer felt that Taylor has the skills and the nous to make the transition.

"The style of play (in MLS) is different," said Palmer. "It's very fast and the referees here have some tackles that they won't call.

"They allow the game to play, and it has some very hard and tough tackling. Here the referees allow the game to flow."

he's comfortable

He added: "On the field, (Jermaine's) quick, reads the game well, and he's comfortable on the ball ... And that's something we can use on defence."

Taylor has already won an admirer. Fellow defender Bobby Boswell worked well with him in a preseason match last Saturday against FC Dallas.

"(Jermaine) and I are working on our communication, and it's working really well right now," he said.

"He's very calm on the ball, his passing out of the back has been very positive, which will be very good on this team."

The Dynamo conceded 49 goals last season.