JAmes Rodríguez’s situation is once again causing concern for the Colombian national team. National team coach Nestor Lorenzo decided to directly intervene in the situation of his captain, who is lacking playing time at Minnesota United, sounding the alarm several months before the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
This context is not trivial. James has had no continuity in MLS and, according to known information, his participation in the American team has been limited, with him receiving little playing time or even remaining on the bench in some games. This lack of rhythm represents a serious problem for Lorenzo, who is keeping a close eye on the players who could be included in the final World Cup squad.
Tour to visit candidates
As part of his World Cup plans, Lorenzo will begin a tour to visit players who could be part of the final squad. According to journalist César Augusto Ronyo, his first stop will be Minnesota, where he will meet with James Rodríguez and personally analyze the current situation and competition.
The Argentine coach’s decision shows the level of concern that exists around the Colombian number 10. The strategist would like to see first-hand how the midfielder is, both physically and football-wise, and understand why he is not regularly considered by clubs.
a matter of minutes
A big red flag is a lack of continuity. James has little involvement with Minnesota United, which has a direct impact on his preparation and performance with the Colombian national team. For a player like him, the rhythm of the game is extremely important to maintain accuracy, intensity, and reading of the game.
So far, James has played a total of 106 minutes for the team (three hours in MLS and one hour in the U.S. Open Cup). In fact, he only started in the cup games and was a regular on the bench, coming on as a substitute for the rest of the season. This is on top of his absence at the beginning of the year due to paperwork issues and injury/illness issues.
This reality has already been reflected in his recent appearances for the national team, as he did not show his best in friendlies against Croatia and France, showing that the captain is still not at his best. For a player to lead the national team, arriving in just a few minutes is a cause for concern for both the coaching staff and the fans.
Minnesota United is already playing without James.
Minnesota United have been doing well in MLS, and so far they have effectively been doing so without James Rodriguez on the field. That’s the big takeaway from the current situation for the Colombian midfielder, whose appearances for the team were minimal while the club racked up important wins in the league.
The discussion is not only about the player’s performance, but also about the circumstances surrounding him. James came to the United States with the intention of finding a competitive rhythm ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but the reality was different. The team was winning without relying on him, which further diminished the urgency of his presence in the starting eleven.
Minnesota United has won four straight in MLS with wins over the Los Angeles Galaxy, San Diego, Timbers and Dallas, but James Rodriguez played a total of just one minute in those games. This number succinctly summarizes the situation. The club is working, the overall plan is working and the Colombian is still waiting for his real chance.
Even when he took on a bigger role in the U.S. Open Cup, the balance didn’t change much. James made his first start and played 66 minutes, but his impact was modest, contributing to the perception that he has yet to fully integrate into the team’s dynamic.
James’ 7 games left before the World Cup
This contradiction is clear. He came in to make a name for himself, but the team has produced results without needing him much. In this context, the big challenge is not only to play again, but also to convince him that he can still be a decisive force in the crucial period of the season and in the preparations for the World Cup.
April 25th: vs. LAFC
April 28: vs. SJ Earthquakes May 2: vs. Columbus Crew May 10: vs. Austin FC May 13: vs. Colorado May 16: vs. New England May 23: vs. Real Salt Lake
