Minnesota United head coach Cameron Knowles was impressed with James Rodriguez’s affect on his first begin for the membership and hopes he can proceed it in opposition to the Portland Timbers.
James made the transfer to Minnesota in February forward of this summer time’s World Cup however needed to wait till Tuesday to get his first begin; the Loons drew 0-0 with Sacramento Republic within the U.S. Open Cup earlier than prevailing 9-8 on penalties.
The Colombian topped the charts for final-third entries (16) and passes within the ultimate third (34), whereas he had 73 touches in his 66 minutes on the pitch.
Knowles was filled with reward for James’ efficiency and is assured he’ll proceed to make his presence felt.
“You possibly can see how he creates play, how exact he’s with the ball and the way he entails everybody else within the recreation,” Knowles mentioned of James.
“Contemplating that he hadn’t performed a lot, and he had day without work and restoration, he got here again to full coaching and labored as onerous as he might.
“He’s a pacesetter in the way in which he carries himself, and he’s a winner. You see it when he performs, even within the small-sided video games.”
Minnesota are unbeaten of their final three MLS video games, offering a stern check for Portland, who sit 4 factors additional again in eleventh.
The Timbers received their first win for the reason that opening matchday once they beat Los Angeles FC 2-1 final trip, however Phil Neville isn’t getting forward of himself after that victory.
“You’ve received to maintain your toes on the bottom,” he mentioned. “We didn’t get too low with the defeats, and we gained’t get too excessive with a win.
“We’ve not received to show up on the street. We’ve received to take our dwelling comforts – every thing we love about taking part in at dwelling – and take it on the street.
“How can we management video games of soccer away from dwelling? How do you present braveness away from dwelling? And we’re going to need to over the subsequent 5 out of seven video games.”
Right here’s to 300 extra pic.twitter.com/T92hknO8OM
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) April 17, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah
Kelvin Yeboah scored his third game-winning purpose of the season in a 2-1 win at San Diego FC on Saturday.
His three winners lead MLS this season, and his 9 profession game-winners rank tied for first within the Loons’ historical past with Robin Lod (common season solely).
Portland Timbers – Kevin Kelsy
Kevin Kelsy grew to become the ninth totally different participant to attain a purpose for the Timbers this season along with his one-touch, one-goal recreation on Saturday in opposition to LAFC.
That’s tied for the second-most goalscorers in MLS this season, trailing solely Colorado Rapids’ 10 gamers.
MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN
Minnesota United stay unbeaten in regular-season play at dwelling in opposition to the Portland Timbers throughout eight conferences (W6 D2). Portland are the one crew the Loons have hosted greater than 3 times within the common season and by no means misplaced to.
The Loons have allowed just one purpose or fewer in 4 of their first seven video games this season, together with three straight.
Because the begin of 2025, Minnesota have held opponents to at least one purpose or fewer 28 instances within the common season, with solely the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Philadelphia Union doing so extra usually (29).
The Timbers snapped a five-game winless run with a 96th-minute winner on Saturday in a 2-1 victory over LAFC. Because the starting of final Could, all eight of Portland’s regular-season wins have come by one purpose, becoming a member of D.C. United as the one groups with out a multi-goal win in that point.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 54.3%
Draw – 23.5%
Portland Timbers – 22.2%
