The Seattle Sounders’ “Road Show” continues with a trip to Minnesota United, marking their sixth consecutive away game in a seven-game stretch without playing at Lumen Field. The Sounders enter the matchup on a winning streak, having recently eliminated the Vancouver Whitecaps from Concacaf Champions Cup play. This follows a surprising 6-0 victory by the Whitecaps over Minnesota United earlier this season. The Sounders’ roster faces several absences, with key players like Pedro de la Vega (knee), Yeimar Gomez Andrade (hamstring), Stuart Hawkins (quad), Kim Kee-hee (calf), Danny Musovski (international duty), and Ryan Sailor (knee) ruled out. Hassani Dotson is listed as questionable due to a head injury. On the other side, Michael Boxall and Peter Stroud are also out with lower-body injuries. Minnesota United’s squad will be without several players, including their injured defenders. The team’s midfield will likely rely on Neco Triantis, a standout since joining from Sunderland. Deployed as an 8 in a 3-4-3 system, Triantis has shown flashes of brilliance and is expected to play a pivotal role. James Rodriguez, the Colombian forward, is set to make his home debut after limited minutes since joining the club. Possession statistics highlight the teams’ contrasting styles. The Sounders have struggled to secure more than 40% of possession in their past four matches, all of which ended in victories. Minnesota, meanwhile, averages 45% possession this season, a significant increase from last year’s MLS record of under 40%. The team has climbed to 20th in the league in this regard, reflecting a shift in their approach. The matchup carries added significance as Lumen Field will host the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, adding pressure for both teams.#concacaf_champions_cup #minnesota_united #lumen_field #seattle_sounders #pedro_de_la_vega
James Rodriguez Makes Loons Debut Minnesota United’s James Rodriguez made his MLS debut on Sunday, but the match against the Vancouver Whitecaps ended in a 6-0 victory for the visitors, overshadowing the Colombian star’s return. Despite the lopsided result, Rodriguez’s 27-minute appearance marked a positive step after missing the first three games of the season due to a minor injury and visa-related delays. Rodriguez, who joined Minnesota in January, admitted the circumstances of his debut were challenging. “It was tough coming on like that; we were already losing by a lot of goals,” he said in an interview with the Pioneer Press. “But I came on to do my job, which is to try and play well in just a few minutes. I think I played well. I personally feel good.” The 34-year-old midfielder, who was credited with creating one scoring chance against the Whitecaps, had previously missed the 3-1 loss to Nashville on March 7 due to a foot injury. He also mentioned the difficulty of adjusting to playing on artificial turf in MLS, both during training and in matches at BC Place. “MLS is a physical league where you run more than you play,” he said. “But I’m always ready to learn new things in my long career. I’m adapting to this new style of soccer, and I always want to help the team win and play well.” Rodriguez’s debut also included a memorable moment when he exchanged jerseys with German star Thomas Muller, a former teammate at Bayern Munich from 2017 to 2019. “It was good to see him, to see that he is doing very well,” Rodriguez said. “When it comes to people you’ve played with, especially those you got along well with, you always hope they continue to enjoy the same success and stay on a good path.#allianz_field #james_rodriguez #minnesota_united #vancouver_whitecaps #thomas_muller
James Rodriguez Makes Striking Debut in MLS, Two Teams Remain Unbeaten Minnesota United’s 34-year-old Colombian playmaker, James Rodriguez, made his MLS debut on Sunday but faced an uphill battle as his team fell to Vancouver Whitecaps 6-0. Despite entering the match in the 64th minute, Rodriguez managed 41 touches, showing promise in his first appearance. However, the one-sided scoreline left little room for impact, though Minnesota hopes his ability to control the ball and create opportunities will help turn their season around. Vancouver Whitecaps secured their fourth consecutive win, climbing to the top of the Western Conference with a dominant 6-0 victory. The result made them the league’s top scorers with 14 goals, while also keeping their clean sheet count at one. Their performance was backed by strong xG (expected goals) metrics, highlighting their efficiency in attack and defensive solidity. Los Angeles FC (LAFC), the 2022 MLS Cup champions, maintained their perfect start to 2026 with a 2-0 win over St Louis City. The team has yet to concede a goal this season, continuing their streak of solid results. Their early-season success includes a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, and a balanced mix of domestic and Champions Cup fixtures. While Vancouver leads the conference in xG and lowest xG conceded, LAFC’s consistency remains a key factor in their title aspirations. FC Dallas’ Petar Musa emerged as the standout performer of the week, scoring a hat-trick against San Diego FC in a 3-3 draw. The 6-foot-3 striker, signed for $13 million in 2024, averages a goal every other game and has already contributed significantly to Croatia’s World Cup preparations.#los_angeles_fc #james_rodriguez #minnesota_united #vancouver_whitecaps #petar_musa
