Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks (right) of Jamaica and Los Angeles Galaxy's A.J. DeLaGarza battle for the ball during the first half of a MLS football match earlier this season in Vancouver, British Columbia. - AP

Jamaican international Darren Mattocks has set a lofty target of 20 goals in the Major League Soccer (MLS) this season, heading into his second year with Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps.

The 22-year-old had a bright start to his career in the United States top-flight football netting nine times for the Whitecaps, including a goal against eventual champions LA Galaxy, in a 2-1 loss in the MLS Cup-playoffs. Mattocks was also selected as the Best Young Player under 24 years old and missed out on Rookie of the Year honours after finishing third in voting behind Chicago Fire defender Austin Berry. It seems quite a decent return for the Reggae Boy drafted second overall in the MLS draft, but Mattocks is confident that he can do even better in his second year.

"Without injury or without cards or mishaps, I think I can get 20 goals this season," Mattocks told Canadian publication Metro.

"If anyone gets 20 goals in a season, it's extremely amazing. That's the standard that I set for myself."

The forward could be well be on his way to achieving that target and is already off to a hot start in the preseason, hitting a hat-trick against the New England Revolution. Mattocks, while setting the figure as his target, does not believe his season should be judged on it.

"I don't want people to take it the wrong way," Mattocks said.

"If I don't get 20, it's not a failure. But that's my goal."