James Rodríguez sets date for his MLS debut with Minnesota United

The countdown has begun for James Rodríguez’s debut in Major League Soccer. The Colombian midfielder – who missed last Saturday’s game against Nashville with a minor physical issue – is expected to be available for Minnesota United’s next fixture. The player himself confirmed that, if everything goes as planned, he will take the field this weekend.

During a live stream with the content creator Pelicanger, Rodríguez revealed that his debut in the United States is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, when Minnesota United visit the Vancouver Whitecaps in Week 4 of the 2026 MLS season. The game is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. in Colombia) at BC Place in Vancouver.

“The next weekend I play on Sunday,” the midfielder said, before being asked if that meant he would finally debut for Minnesota. “Yes, yes, with God’s glory. Against the team of (Thomas) Müller, Vancouver I think. It’s nice here,” the No. 10 replied.

Rodríguez would therefore begin his MLS adventure against last season’s runner-up. Vancouver lost the 2025 championship final to Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi. The match would also see the Colombian reunite with Thomas Müller, the German legend who was once his teammate at Bayern Munich.

Rodríguez signed with Minnesota United in early February but has yet to play a minute for the team coached by Cameron Knowles. He was called up for the game against FC Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, although the coaching staff decided not to risk him and the playmaker remained on the bench.

Later, when everything seemed set for a debut against Nashville last weekend, Knowles acknowledged that Rodríguez might miss the game because of a knock – a concern that was later confirmed. Now, all signs point toward Canada.

Minnesota United currently sit 10th in the Western Conference after three games. They have four points so far this season, with one win, one draw and one loss.

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