James Rodríguez Makes Home Debut as Minnesota United Struggles for MLS Wins
Minnesota United welcomed the Seattle Sounders this Sunday in Week 5 of the 2026 MLS season. A match lacking excitement from both sides ended in a scoreless draw, extending the home team’s winless streak to three games in the Western Conference. James Rodríguez made his debut at home in front of his new fans.
Rodríguez Enters the Match
Around the 29th minute, cameras focused on James Rodríguez as he awaited his opportunity on the bench. He will soon join the Colombian National Team for upcoming friendly matches against France and Croatia.
The first clear chance for Minnesota came around the 30-minute mark. Kelvin Yeboah received the ball at the edge of the area and shot with his right foot, but the ball went wide. The Italian player lamented the missed opportunity.
The referee added four minutes of stoppage time to the first half. A cross from Joaquin Pereyra found Yeboah, who shot twice but failed to score, resulting in a corner kick for the home side. The Minnesota fans’ hopes were dashed as the first half ended.
Second Half and Rodríguez’s Impact
In the 70th minute, cameras again turned to James Rodríguez, who was warming up on the sidelines. Fans wondered when the ’10’ would enter the game.
In the 75th minute, Minnesota’s coach Jesper Sorensen brought on James Rodríguez, replacing Tomás Chancalay. The Minnesota United supporters rose to applaud the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner.
Rodríguez immediately made an impact, skillfully taking on Nicolás Romero, but the resulting play didn’t lead to a goal. His presence clearly injected some much-needed creativity into the team.
Despite a late push, the score remained 0-0 at Allianz Field. Minnesota’s sporting situation is worsening, with three games without a win and a position near the bottom of the table, with only 5 points from 5 games.
Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders: Result, Goals and Statistics
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