Will James Rodríguez make his MLS debut for Minnesota United today?

Significant excitement surrounds Minnesota United’s clash with FC Cincinnati on Saturday: Colombia star James Rodríguez is expected to make his Major League Soccer debut for the Black and Blue.

The fans at Allianz Field are eager to enjoy the artistry of their new No. 10 - and MLS is already framing this weekend as a historic turning point for the club. “The James Rodríguez era at Minnesota United FC is ready to begin,” declares the league’s official website

“It’s impossible not to think about everything that changes when a player of this caliber lands in a Midwestern club,” MLS added.

This week, James trained at full throttle, impressing both his coach and teammates. It’s a pattern he has repeated everywhere he’s played - his work ethic always leaves a mark. Football figures as illustrious as Zinedine Zidane, Rodriguez’s former head coach at Real Madrid, have highlighted the way he trains.

Following in Valderrama’s footsteps

Rodríguez has always had a connection to Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. Since he was a kid, the 34-year-old has listed him among his idols, and now the final stage of his career is beginning to mirror the 1990s icon’s path. Valderrama also chose MLS as his last major stop, becoming a league figurehead and opening a door for generations to follow.

Ahead of this summer’s World Cup, Rodríguez needs to build up competitive rhythm, and Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo is encouraged - believing the player can be a difference‑maker when he gets regular minutes. “I’m glad he has completed a preseason with a team, and now he’s just waiting for his debut, which is imminent. We hope he has a strong season until we join up with him and the rest of the group,” Lorenzo told Diario AS and Caracol Radio.

Minnesota’s 10‑year anniversary gift

Minnesota United marks its 10‑year anniversary in 2026, and it’s no coincidence the front office decided to make a major investment in Rodríguez. The playmaker wants to meet the expectations placed on him and deliver results for a club that has yet to truly establish itself as an MLS powerhouse.

“With James, the club doesn’t just improve in the final third and gain attacking security - the entire sense of expectation and pressure shifts,” the league said. “And like other stars who have arrived in MLS in recent years, he forces a reevaluation of what those clubs once were.”

Minnesota United vs FC Cincinnati: kickoff time, how to watch

In Week 2 of the MLS regular season, Minnesota United hosts Cincinnati today, Saturday Feb. 28, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. PT.

You can watch Minnesota vs Cincinnati - and every other MLS game this season - live on the streaming platform Apple TV. A subscription to the service costs $12.99 per month in the U.S., after a seven-day free trial.

Chasing a spot in the MLS playoffs for the third consecutive year, Minnesota began its regular-season campaign with a 2-2 draw against Austin FC seven days ago. Meanwhile, Cincinnati heads to Allianz Field on the back of a 2-0 opening-weekend win over Atlanta United.

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