James Rodriguez Set to Face Former Teammate in Explosive MLS Debut Showdown

Two legendary FIFA World Cup stars are preparing to take center stage in MLS this Sunday, as James Rodríguez announced he will make his Minnesota United debut facing Thomas Müller's Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place.

Although Minnesota and head coach Cameron Knowles have remained tight-lipped about James's availability, the Colombian icon broke the news himself during a livestream with content creator Pelicanger.

"This coming weekend, I'm playing Sunday ... against Müller's squad," he stated in Spanish, struggling to remember the name of Müller's MLS team. "Vancouver, I believe. It's wonderful here."

Acquired during the offseason on a non-designated player contract with Minnesota, James has been named to the matchday roster for the Loons but has yet to step onto the field. The 34-year-old hasn't featured in a competitive club fixture since November 8, 2025 with Club Léon in Liga MX. 

Müller, on the other hand, has been instrumental for Vancouver since his arrival in August 2025, tallying 11 goals and four assists across 19 matches. He contributed to the team's fourth consecutive Canadian Championship and Western Conference crown in 2025, before losing to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final. 

James and Müller were club teammates at Bayern Munich between 2017 and 2019, sharing two Bundesliga championships, two German Super Cup victories and the 2019 DFB-Pokal. Beyond those honors, James also captured silverware with Real Madrid and FC Porto throughout his European career. 

Despite both being superstars across Europe and international football for nearly two decades, Sunday's encounter would represent their first head-to-head meeting, assuming they both feature simultaneously. 

Historic World Cup Moments Meet MLS

Historic World Cup Moments Meet MLS 

Sunday will mark the inaugural occasion when two World Cup Golden Boot recipients compete in the same MLS fixture. Müller claimed the honor at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, netting five goals as Germany secured third place. 

James earned it in 2014, finding the net six times, including the eventual Puskás Award winner, as Colombia exited in the quarterfinals against Brazil. Müller proceeded to capture that year's championship with Germany.

More than a decade later, James continues pursuing another World Cup opportunity, with his upcoming Colombia fixtures likely scheduled later this month against European powerhouses Croatia and France during the March international break. 

Sunday's clash will also represent one of the last pre-World Cup matches on BC Place's artificial surface, before the venue installs natural grass to accommodate seven games at this summer's tournament. Nevertheless, James, recovering from a minor injury, didn't suggest the playing surface would pose concerns. 

How to Watch Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United

How to Watch Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United