![\"MLS:](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28245831.jpg\")
Feb 14, 2026; Indio, California, USA; Minnesota United FC midfielder James Rodriguez (24) at Empire Polo Club. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nColombian star James Rodriguez is expected to make his long-awaited MLS debut Sunday afternoon when Minnesota United travel to Vancouver to take on the Whitecaps.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after scoring six goals while leading Colombia to the quarterfinals, signed with the Loons on Feb. 6 after a stint with Club Leon in Mexico. In a video posted on X by streamer Pelicanger, Rodriguez said he plans to play Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “Yes, with the grace of God,” said Rodriguez, who sat out Minnesota’s 3-1 loss on March 7 at Nashville with a contusion. “Against (Thomas) Muller’s team. I don’t know what it is called. Vancouver, I think.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Muller, the 2010 Golden Boot winner after leading Germany to a third-place finish, and Rodriguez were teammates for two seasons at Bayern Munich from 2017-19.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Head coach Cameron Knowles said Rodriguez returned to training on Tuesday for Minnesota United (1-1-1, 4 points).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Vancouver (3-0-0, 9 points), which entered the weekend in a four-way tie for first place in the Western Conference with San Diego, San Jose and Los Angeles FC, has outscored its opponents 8-1 in MLS play. However, the Whitecaps are coming off a 3-0 home loss to the Seattle Sounders on Thursday in the first leg of CONCACAF Round-of-16 action.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Paul Arriola scored two goals in the first 58 minutes to lead Seattle. Vancouver lost despite finishing with huge edges in shot attempts (16-10) and possession (64.2%), but managed just three shots on goal. The second leg is Wednesday in Spokane, Wash., while Lumen Field undergoes preparations to hold World Cup matches this summer.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “We had a lot of shots and a lot of opportunities, but we did not hit the target,” Vancouver coach Jesper Sorensen said. “That’s where we have to be a little more cool in the moment and be able to get a quality shot instead of rushing it in the moment.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Now the Whitecaps face a quick turnaround to host the Loons.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n “It’s tough, but we have two days for recovery,” goaltender Yohei Takaoka said. “We have a game in two days against Minnesota, and we need to react in a good way.”<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n