The superstar Colombian international made his first MLS start for the Loons on Saturday, putting in an impressive 63-minute shift in a 1-0 home loss<\/a> to LAFC<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n A sellout crowd of 19,710 fans at Allianz Field – among them Colombia head coach N\u00e9stor Lorenzo – saw Rodr\u00edguez show some of the skills that made him a global icon.<\/p>\n The 34-year-old had two shots on goal and an 81% pass completion rate to earn MNUFC Man-of-the-Match<\/a> honors.<\/p>\n “I felt good with this being my first start here at Allianz Field,” Rodr\u00edguez told reporters post-match. “… I think a game is not how much time is left, but how one can influence the game inside the field, and we had many opportunities, clear opportunities.<\/p>\n “But we have to continue down this path.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u00a1Que cerca se qued\u00f3 James Rodr\u00edguez!<\/p>\n Disparo desde fuera del \u00e1rea del colombiano que estuvo a poco de convertirse en el gol del empate de @MNUFC<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/VONUsnWLTr<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 MLS Espa\u00f1ol (@MLSes) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Saturday’s start wasn’t just good news for Minnesota fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez, who’s regaining match fitness after suffering a bout of dehydration during the March international window, is expected to captain Colombia at this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n “There are about six matches left before the World Cup, and I\u2019m very focused on everything that\u2019s coming,” said Rodr\u00edguez, a two-time World Cup veteran with Los Cafeteros.<\/p>\n “Whatever playing time I get, whether a lot or very little, I\u2019m going to take it in the best way possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Saturday’s defeat halted a four-game winning streak for the Loons. Despite the adverse result, Rodr\u00edguez believes good things are in store for his new club.<\/p>\n “I believe it is a talented team, they have what it takes to achieve much greater things,” said the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star, who joined Minnesota this winter on a contract through June 2026 with an option through December 2026.<\/p>\n “And I hope to help them in every way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Set Piece Cinema \ud83c\udfa6 pic.twitter.com\/1R2uCiHvyS<\/a><\/p>\n\n
World Cup watch<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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