Two weeks ago, few could’ve expected that the most notable international acquisition of the MLS offseason would be made by Minnesota United.
The team’s marquee import until last week was Finland striker Teemu Pukki, with honorable mentions for Colombian playmaker Darwin Quintero and ex-Porto midfielder Ibson. The Loons aren’t known for paying sizable transfer fees, and their wage bill last year was the league’s fifth-smallest.
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This year, they also had to contend with Occupation Metro Surge. The siege-like deployment of over 3,000 federal immigration agents into the state of Minnesota is now due to end, but only after three harrowing months for residents throughout the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area and beyond. The occupation caused two confirmed deaths, with Renee Good and Alex Pretti slain by ICE agents.
Nonetheless, Minnesota United have managed to recruit one of this generation’s biggest stars, Colombia playmaker James Rodríguez.
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“I’ve been in top leagues, but I wanted to play in this league,” Rodríguez said in his introduction at Allianz Field. “When the chance arose with this great club, things were progressing a bit slowly, but it happened. Both sides made an effort, and when a club trusts you, you have to give it your all so everyone feels good. That’s why I’m here, to help and hopefully win things.”
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Rodríguez arrives nearly half a decade removed from his Everton tenure which proved to be his final stop as the centerpiece of a major European club. His path from the Premier League to MLS makes for good pub trivia: Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, São Paulo, Rayo Vallecano, Club León.
One would be forgiven for struggling to picture him in most of those clubs’ shirts, as Rodríguez’s legacy continues to be most directly associated with his exploits for Colombia. He’s readying for his fourth World Cup, having captained his country to its best showing in Conmebol qualification since 2014 after being named player of the tournament at the 2024 Copa América.
A free agent since New Year’s, he needed a club with which he could prepare for this summer’s tournament. Having secured the player’s discovery rights in the fall, Minnesota chief soccer officer Khaled El-Ahmad saw a “unique opportunity” to boost the entire squad, calling MLS “the best league to be in at this time when you’re preparing for the World…
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