James stays winless in MLS: The Minnesota star’s stats vs Seattle
In his second appearance in Major League Soccer, James Rodríguez was given a second-half run-out in Minnesota United’s draw with Seattle Sounders.
In Minnesota United’s 0-0 draw with the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, James Rodríguez logged 15 minutes in what was his second appearance in Major League Soccer. Although he’s working his way back to full match fitness - the main reason why he’s being eased in off the bench - the Colombian midfielder still produced flashes of quality that nearly tilted the result in his team’s favor.
How James’ game unfolded:
In the first half, with James not yet on the field, the game lacked clear scoring chances. Most of the action was concentrated in the middle third, and neither side managed to impose a faster tempo.
Around the 65-minute mark, James intensified his warm‑up, and the crowd in Saint Paul, Minnesota, reacted immediately, buzzing at the prospect of seeing him enter the match. Ten minutes later, he stepped onto the field, replacing Tomás Chancalay.
Shortly after coming on, the No. 10 nearly made a direct impact on the scoreboard, splitting the lines with a perfectly weighted through-ball that teammate Anthony Markanich couldn’t finish.
From that moment on, Minnesota looked more dangerous, with James becoming the focal point of the attack.
Across his 15 minutes, the 34-year-old recorded 14 touches and completed 12 of 14 passes (86%). He also carried the ball a total of 21.8 meters, adding rhythm and creativity in the final third.
We keep working 📸 pic.twitter.com/JGhcaDpNrN
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) March 22, 2026
“You saw his impact”
Speaking postgame, Minnesota head coach Cameron Knowles praised the performances of James and his fellow second-half substitutes.
“Fantastic - I mean, guys come in and you want them to change the game,” Knowles told reporters. “And they came in and had some great moments. James comes in and slips in Anthony Markanich, and we’re really close there.”
Knowles added of James: “You saw his impact when he came into the game, certainly. I think the chances he created are chances we can take, and score and win the game.”
James’s second-half appearance against Seattle came a week after he made his Minnesota debut as a substitute in a 6-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps, replacing Chancalay in the 64th minute at BC Place.
Where is Minnesota in the MLS standings?
Following this weekend’s draw at Allianz Field, Minnesota sits 12th in the Western Conference regular-season standings, holding five points through five matches.
The Loons face their next test when they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on MLS matchday six next month. Knowles’ men visit the six-time MLS Cup winners on April 4, after the March international break.
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- 12 Drake Callender
- 5 Nicolás Romero (76')
- 28 Jefferson Díaz
- 13 Anthony Markanich
- 23 Morris Duggan
- 3 Kyle Duncan (71')
- 26 Joaquín Pereyra
- 25 Nectarios Triantis (90')
- 8 Tomás Chancalay (76')
- 20 Will Trapp
- 9 Kelvin Yeboah (76')
- Substitutes
- 30 Owen Gene (90')
- 1 Alec Smir
- 67 Carlos Harvey
- 27 DJ Taylor
- 24 Julian Gressel
- 29 Mamadou Dieng (76')
- 21 Bongokuhle Hlongwane (71')
- 10 James (76')
- 2 Devin Padelford (76')
- 26 Andrew Thomas
- 5 Nouhou Tolo
- 16 Alexander Roldan (21')
- 85 Kalani Kossa-Rienzi
- 35 Antino Lopez
- 14 Paul Rothrock
- 44 Nikola Petkovic (63')
- 7 Cristian Roldan
- 93 Georgi Minoungou (64')
- 11 Albert Rusnák
- 95 Osaze De Rosario (64')
- Substitutes
- 24 Stefan Frei
- 33 Cody Baker
- 17 Paul Arriola
- 37 Snyder Brunell (63')
- 13 Jordan Morris (64')
- 25 Jackson Ragen (21')
- 45 Peter Kingston
- 9 Jesus Ferreira (64')
Substitutions
Jackson Ragen (21', Alex Roldan), Snyder Brunell (63', Nikola Petkovic), Jesús Ferreira (64', Georgi Minoungou), Jordan Morris (64', Osaze De Rosario), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (71', Kyle Duncan), James Rodríguez (76', Tomás Chancalay), Devin Padelford (76', Nicolás Romero), Mamadou Dieng (76', Kelvin Yeboah), Owen Gene (90', Nectarios Triantis)
Cards
Referee: Jon Freemon
VAR Referee: Daniel Radford, Robert Schaap
Nikola Petkovic (37',Yellow), Antino Lopez (37',Yellow), Jefferson Díaz (46',Yellow), Jackson Ragen (66',Yellow)
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