LOS ANGELES, California — Before a ball is even kicked, Jermaine Taylor has his sights on the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicked off yesterday in Texas.

The Jamaican defender, who had limited playing time in the recent Copa America in Chile, believes that the quality within the team’s ranks bodes well for a strong finish.

“I am definitely seeing a quarter-final berth for us, and I am sure the last time we played in this tournament, we went that far and got knocked out by the USA.

“But as I have said before, it’s not beyond us to make the quarter-finals, and even the semi-finals, as we have a strong group of players to deliver,” he said.

Taylor, 30, who plies his trade with MLS outfit the Houston Dynamo, maintains a strong view that the high number of Jamaicans operating in the USA could be a great benefit as the team pursues Gold Cup glory.

“It’s been happening in the MLS where Jamaican players have been standing out, so there is no difference for Jamaicans and Jamaican teams playing in the Gold Cup.

“Obviously, we will be going up against the same players, week in, week out, in the MLS. As Jamaicans, we have been sending a message as individual players in our clubs, so now it’s time to send that message for our country,” said Taylor.

There are 10 USA-based players in the 23-man squad.

The former Harbour View man argues that Jamaica’s “positive show” at the Copa America in Chile has played a crucial role in lifting the confidence of the players.

“We went to the Copa America, where many people didn’t expect us to put on a good show, but we did… although we lost all three games, but I believe we gave it a good run.

“Now we have to see where we are at coming out of the Copa America, so from my point of view, I think we are pretty strong going into the Gold Cup and I think there are some results on the table for us, as long as we stay strong as a group and deliver on the pitch on the day,” said the veteran campaigner.

And even though, by his own admission, that he only had 20 minutes of playing time in the game against Argentina, Taylor harbours no hard feelings.

“I think we had a good tournament in Chile and I am always a team person. Individually, I wanted to play as it was a good tournament, where I wanted to show what I can do, but I didn’t get that chance. But despite that, I stood strong with the group,” he explained.

Taylor, who is a teammate of striker Giles Barnes at Houston, has now turned his focus on making a contribution in the Gold Cup if given a chance.

“Now I am looking forward to more minutes in this tournament, and if that’s not the case, I will still be fighting with the team,” he noted.

In the Copa America, coach Winfried Schaefer preferred to start with the England-based duo of Michael Hector and Wes Morgan in the heart of the Jamaican defence, a regular position for Taylor.