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James Rodríguez made his MLS debut for Minnesota United on Sunday, but the Colombian’s first appearance in the league came in a 6-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the heaviest loss in club history. The match also brought Rodríguez onto the same field as Thomas Müller for the first time in their careers, adding another layer to a difficult afternoon for Minnesota.
The game carried an unusual statistical note before either player had much influence. It was the first MLS match to feature two former World Cup Golden Boot winners, with Rodríguez having claimed the award in 2014 and Müller in 2010.
Rodríguez and Müller both began on the bench, and by halftime Vancouver already led 4-0. Minnesota’s position worsened before Rodríguez entered in the 64th minute with his team trailing 5-0, while Müller came on in the 77th minute.
James Rodríguez Showed Flashes But Could Not Shift The Match
Rodríguez had not played a club match since November with Club León in Liga MX, and his debut reflected that lack of recent action as much as the state of the game. The 34-year-old showed some lively moments after entering, but he struggled to beat defenders consistently and found it difficult to retain possession.
His clearest contribution came in the 69th minute, when he delivered a curling corner to Kelvin Yeboah near the top of the six-yard box. Yeboah’s header, however, went straight into the hands of Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
Minnesota manager Cameron Knowles said it was a shame Rodríguez had to be introduced under those circumstances, adding that the club would have preferred his first appearance to come while helping the team win the game. Knowles still described the showing as better than nothing.
Müller Reunion Added A Personal Angle To The Debut
The Rodríguez-Müller subplot gave the match a personal dimension beyond the scoreline. The two former Bayern Munich teammates shared Bundesliga titles and other honors in Germany, and they swapped shirts after the final whistle.
Müller had said before the game that he was surprised Rodríguez chose Minnesota, recalling how the Colombian used to complain about the cold during their time in Munich. That pre-match comment gave the reunion some added character, even if neither player shaped the result significantly on the pitch.
For Rodríguez, Minnesota United is the 13th club of his professional career. He is signed through to the 2026 World Cup, with the Loons holding an option to extend his deal through the rest of the 2026 MLS season.
Minnesota now turn toward next week’s meeting with the Seattle Sounders, where Rodríguez could make his first appearance in front of home supporters. Vancouver, meanwhile, face Seattle on Wednesday in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 tie before returning to MLS action against Timo Werner’s San Jose Earthquakes.