Why didn’t James Rodríguez make his Minnesota debut this weekend?
James, Minnesota United’s new star signing, watched on from the bench as the Loons earned their first win of the 2026 MLS season.
Colombia star James Rodríguez went unused in his first matchday call-up with Minnesota United. In Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash with FC Cincinnati, played at Allianz Field in St. Paul, the midfielder spent the full 90 minutes on the bench.
Minnesota won 1-0 thanks to a Kelvin Yeboah strike in the 65th minute - a result that leaves Cameron Knowles’ men fifth in the Western Conference, two points off early leader San Jose. The Loons had drawn on the road against Austin FC in last week’s MLS season opener.
Why wasn’t James handed his debut?
As he works his way back to full fitness following an extended playing absence, James was omitted from the squad to face Austin - before progressing to a place among the substitutes against Cincinnati.
The new signing went through warm-up routines a couple of times during Saturday’s game, but Knowles opted against introducing a player who’s yet to build up match sharpness.
“[It was] a hard game to come into,” the Minnesota head coach told reporters postgame. “With the game state of being at 1-0 and with him having sat there for 75, 80 minutes, having not played so far and had only one week of full training, I don’t think that was the ideal circumstances to bring him into.”
When was James’s last game?
The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich standout hasn’t played an official match since last November, when he made his farewell appearance for Liga MX team Club León. His spell on the sidelines has now stretched beyond three months.
When is James’s next chance to make his Minnesota debut?
James’s maiden Minnesota appearance will have to wait until at least next weekend, when the Black and Blue visits Nashville SC. Kickoff at Geodis Park is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT/5:30 p.m. PT.
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