Minnesota United vs. Los Angeles FCWhen: 3:55 p.m. Saturday Where: Allianz Field Stream: FOX, Apple TV Radio: KSTP-AM 1500 Weather: 56 degrees, cloudy, 7 mph west wind
Form: MNUFC and LAFC have identical 5-2-2 records and 17 points, but the Loons have won four straight in MLS, with a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday. LAFC is winless in their last four, including having only 28% possession in a 0-0 home draw with Colorado midweek.
Storyline: The Loons are flying high in their past four matches, but questions have picked up about why James Rodriguez isn’t more involved. The short answer is MNUFC hasn’t needed the former Golden Boot winner at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Colombian superstar has played in only one of those four matches, and that cameo was as a very late substitute in the 2-0 win over Portland. That came after he started and played 65 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup win on April 14, his longest stretch of playing time for Minnesota.
In Dallas on Wednesday, a hot mic on Apple TV picked up a fan in a profanity-laced rant directed at head coach Cameron Knowles about why James did not see the field. It’s a regular topic for fans, especially in Colombia. Knowles understands coaching James, a two-time UEFA Champions League winner, comes with extra attention.
“Look, it does,” Knowles said. “That is a credit to him and the career he has created, that people feel so passionately about him. Everywhere we go, there are fans that want to see him. He’s a guy that is so gracious and so generous with his time, with all the supporters. We saw it in the hotel in Dallas.”
Given United’s congested schedule, Saturday seems like a prime opportunity for Rodriguez to make his first MLS start.
“He’s fully fit and available to play,” said Knowles, who added fans “may see some” turnover in the overall starting lineup against LAFC.
Context: Both MNUFC and LAFC are juggling other competitions. The Loons have a U.S. Open Cup match at San Jose on Tuesday, while LA has a CONCACAF Champions League semifinal with Toluca on Wednesday. This schedule likely will contribute to squad rotation for both sides. The view here is LAFC should and will put more emphasis in its cup match than Minnesota.
Absences: Carlos Harvey (lower body), Julian Gressel (foot), Michael Boxall (adductor) and Peter Stroud (quad) are out.
Check-in: Midfielder Dominik Fitz has recovered from a flu-like illness but has not even been on the Loons’ bench for the past two matches. Another previous ailment kept him out to start the season; he has played zero minutes.
“He’s in full training and available for selection,” Knowles said. “I think just with the performances of other players and his time away, that has created opportunity for other guys. (It’s) just the competition right now has been difficult for him to find time on the field.”
Meanwhile, Fitz has one of the highest salaries on the team; the 25-year-old Austrian received $853,000 in 2025, per MLS Players’ Association.
Scouting report: Son Heung-min, the former Tottenham Hotspur star, leads MLS with seven total assists this season. The 33-year-old South Korean has a reputation as a great connector, but his assist total is inflated with four in a 6-0 romp over Orlando on April 4. He has not scored a goal yet, while Denis Bouanga leads the team with four goals.
Stats: With defense-minded coach Marc Dos Santos in charge, LAFC is fifth in the league with a paltry six goals allowed through nine matches. The black and gold started the year with six straight shutouts and added a seventh against the Rapids.
Prediction: Minnesota was able to get a road win in Texas despite not playing their best game. That won’t be as likely against a stronger LA defense. United settles for a 1-1 draw at home.
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