‘The right place for him’: why James Rodríguez signed in Minnesota amid a federal occupation | Minnesota United

Two weeks ago, few could have expected that the most notable international acquisition of the MLS offseason would be made by Minnesota United.

Until last week, Finnish striker Teemu Pukki was the team’s star striker, with honorable mentions going to Colombian playmaker Darwin Quintero and former Porto midfielder Ibson. The Loons are not known for paying large transfer fees, and their wage bill last year was the fifth smallest in the league.

This year they also had to deal with Operation Metro Surge. The siege-like deployment of more than 3,000 federal immigration agents to the state of Minnesota is now set to end, but only after three harrowing months for residents of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area and beyond. The occupation resulted in two confirmed deaths, with Renee Good and Alex Pretti killed by ICE agents.

Nevertheless, Minnesota United managed to sign one of the biggest stars of this generation, Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez.

“I played in top leagues, but I wanted to play in this league,” Rodríguez said during his introduction at Allianz Field. “When the opportunity presented itself with this big club, things were moving a bit slowly, but it happened. Both teams made an effort, and when a club trusts you, you have to give everything to make everyone feel good. That’s what I’m here for, to help and hopefully win things.”

Rodríguez arrives almost half a decade into his tenure at Everton, which proved to be his final stop as the centerpiece of a major European club. His journey from the Premier League to MLS gives rise to good pub anecdotes: Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, São Paulo, Rayo Vallecano, Club León.

It might be hard to imagine him in most of these clubs’ shirts, as Rodríguez’s legacy continues to be directly associated with his exploits for Colombia. He is preparing for his fourth World Cup, having led his country to their best Conmebol qualifying performance since 2014 after being named player of the tournament at the 2024 Copa América.

A free agent since the New Year, he needed a club with which he could prepare for this summer’s tournament. After securing the player discovery rights in the fall, Minnesota director of soccer Khaled El-Ahmad saw a “unique opportunity” to strengthen the entire team, calling MLS “the best league to play in right now when you’re preparing for the World Cup.”

There is some historical basis for this assertion. Gareth Bale was also brought in to train at world-class facilities ahead of the 2022 World Cup, hanging with Los Angeles FC for half a season, while Brazilian goalkeeper Júlio César signed a short-term deal with Toronto FC ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

“How does a player of this caliber and history prepare? » El-Ahmad told the Guardian before Friday’s press conference. “What energy would this bring to our culture as we try to rejuvenate, adding him to our collective? Adding this dimension, I believe, will evolve the group.”

El-Ahmad quickly summarizes Rodríguez’s priorities and how the club is responding to them. He wanted a successful team; Minnesota hopes to maintain its competitive level, having missed the playoffs only once since 2019. It wanted a top-ranked physical therapy department; Minnesota was honored as the MLS Medical Personnel of the Year in 2025.

He wanted calm off the field; “We have the best fans, but they don’t come to your house or your hotel,” assures El-Ahmad, history confirming this. He has a great interest in the NBA; Managing partner Bill McGuire has courtside seats for the Timberwolves.

And then there is the club culture, which El-Ahmad hopes to have fine-tuned since his appointment in November 2023, having previously been a recruiter for City Football Group and CEO of Barnsley.

“If it was 2024 or maybe even 2025, I’m not sure we would be ready as a club for this potential addition to our culture,” El-Ahmad said. “I have so much confidence in the coaching team now, in the club itself, as we have evolved over the last 24 months heading into year three. I am very comfortable with the core of players, who [Rodríguez] is an exciting icing on the cake.

“[The acquisition] it’s not about changing the culture. It’s about making the group evolve.

If there is a recent comparison in MLS, Thomas Müller’s arrival in Vancouver last summer seems apt. It worked for the Whitecaps, with the German strengthening a strong team as they reached their first MLS Cup final.

El-Ahmad confirmed that despite his profile, Rodríguez will not fill one of the club’s limited Designated Player (DP) spots, even if the club picks up his option for the second half of 2026. He will also not disrupt head coach Cameron Knowles’ playing time plans any more than any other new signing.

“Our culture does not guarantee the departure of any player,” El-Ahmad said. “It’s a conversation about workload. Will it be more delicate? Of course. There’s no way we can’t have that delicate conversation, but it’s also delicate with our captain, Michael Boxall. Is he recovering more? Does he need extra rest? Because Boxall is going through the same thing: he’s going to the World Cup. [with New Zealand]. It’s the same thing with [Panama defender] Carlos Harvey. What does this mean the week before they leave for international camp in March?

It’s a collectivist tone that seems welcome for Rodríguez, who becomes the first Loon to pull on the 10 jersey since Emanuel Reynoso in 2023.

“From what I saw, it’s a club that did things the right way,” Rodríguez said. “I came to an established club, and now I’m just another member of the club and the team as well. I’m eager, passionate and ready to be part of the club, and I hope to do things well.”

As for questions about Rodríguez joining the club after the World Cup, El-Ahmad cited “a good and transparent conversation” as both parties agreed on the structure of the contract. After consulting with his dressing room leaders, El-Ahmad was convinced that reasonable risks were being avoided.

“Again, it’s a club option,” El-Ahmad said. “He’s talking about, ‘OK, so how are we going to make this deal last longer? It will all depend on how we align our interests and performance, what impact [he makes]if he likes it. There are a lot of assumptions and unknowns, but we are really starting from a very positive place.

This positivity coupled with the welcome news of the impending withdrawal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Minnesota – a sorely needed glimmer of hope.

“I think there’s no way around it: it’s been very hard mentally,” El-Ahmad said of life under Operation Metro Surge. “Standing in front of the players, asking a certain group of players to look after the other group of players, creating specific WhatsApp groups to support certain groups within the club.”

Minnesota United has never made a public statement regarding the occupation — perhaps understandable given the Trump administration’s culture of retaliation, but a decision that nonetheless remains questioned by some fans. Local businesses and citizens saw hastily drafted warrants just hours after speaking out against ICE or recording their activities, believing such actions to be a retaliatory tactic.

One of the few public comments on the situation was made by Boxall and Joaquín Pereyra, speaking to the St Paul Pioneer Press in January. Both criticized the operation and leadership at all levels, with Pereyra adding that he carried his Argentine passport and green card whenever he left his country.

“I sympathize with Joaquín,” said El-Ahmad, who was born in Lebanon before his family moved to Sweden when he was young. “I also drive with my passport and green card. My kids have an extra ticket in their bag, just in case mom and dad don’t come home, which in her case is something that brings back childhood memories of me as a war refugee. It’s not a pleasant thing to carry around.

“At the same time, I’m really, really proud of the players and the staff and the way we really handled this. It’s not easy when you’re preparing for a season, and then you see images in our community that are not normal and that shouldn’t be happening. It’s not even about political opinions. For me, it’s about human values and human decisions and what’s right and what’s not right. With the things that I’ve seen, I sympathize and I support the community. We see a lot of bad things going on.

In the meantime, the team is away from home at the Coachella Valley Invitational, a California preseason event involving Minnesota and 11 other MLS teams. The Loons won their first preseason match two days after exposing Rodríguez, securing a 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Rodríguez has not and will not participate in future training sessions until he obtains his work visa – another aspect of the signing incredibly linked to the Trump administration. The Pioneer Press also reported that at least two potential international signings have decided not to join Minnesota in light of the ICE occupation.

Given the tensions between Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the political situation was also a topic El-Ahmad discussed with Rodríguez’s representatives.

“I think it’s different with James because of the profile he has,” El-Ahmad said. “He feels more comfortable in his situation compared to other recruits we’ve tried to sign. His representatives have asked him what’s going on since he’s obviously Colombian. I don’t want to make this political, but it’s not easy. We’re still waiting for the visa for Mauricio González, which we signed about a month ago.”

In a turbulent time for Minnesota, its MLS team now boasts one of the sport’s most famous active players. Rodríguez is determined to impress, both to complete his World Cup preparations and to make the most of his time in the North American league.

In a deal with little risk for the club, his arrival is a surprising but welcome development in an offseason like no other.

“It’s the right place for him because of the community,” El-Ahmad said, “the way we stand up to each other, the fans, the group of players we have. He’ll be a good addition here, and they’re a good addition where he is. [in his career]. Hopefully we can manage this as we move towards what everyone hopes will be a positive outcome.