James Rodriguez’s two assists help Loons earn 2-2 draw with Austin
Better late than never for James Rodriguez .
The Colombian superstar will leave Minnesota United at the end of next week to prepare for the FIFA World Cup and won’t return for the second half of the season. But the central attacking midfielder left a mark in his penultimate game for the Loons.
James provided his first MLS goal contributions — a pair of assists — in Minnesota’s 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Sunday at Allianz Field.
His team down 1-0, Loons coach Cameron Knowles subbed in James in the 63rd minute, and it took only three minutes for the attacking midfielder to make a huge impact. His floated cross was headed into the net by Anthony Markanich to tie the game. Then in the 77th, Rodriguez assisted on Joaquin Pereyra ’s go-ahead goal.
“He’s just a different player,” Markanich said. “The game kind of changed. … I’m sure it can be a little intimidating when you see a big player and a big name out there. I think you are a little more conscious of him to see where he’s going and where he’s at. They probably know we want to give him the ball more.”
But former Minnesota forward Christian Ramirez equalized in the 80th minute. He stuck it to his former team for a second time; he also scored for L.A. Galaxy in St. Paul in March 2025.
MNUFC (6-3-2, 21 points) had to settle for a draw, while Austin (3-4-5, 14 points) remained winless in six road games.
Rodriguez’s last game with Minnesota is Wednesday against Colorado, because the Loons will not pick up the club option for the rest of the season. He didn’t have a goal or assists in 104 MLS minutes before Sunday, yet he didn’t press when he got on the field.
“We are feeling a little bit rushed, and we have a lot of guys that care so much, that want, when we go down, to impact the game. And I think that sometimes looks a little frantic,” Knowles said. “I think he calmed us down in possession, helped other guys around him. Made really good decisions.”
The Loons trailed 1-0 at the half after Myrto Uzuni converted a penalty kick in the 14th minute. Nectar Triantis was whistled for a handball in the box to set up the PK.
MNUFC had two chances to equalize from the spot less than 10 minutes later, but Loons striker Kelvin Yeboah failed to convert on both.
The first attempt — earned when former Loon Joseph Rosales bear-hugged Markanich in the box — was waved off after a VAR check. Yeboah’s stutter-step didn’t freeze Brad Stuver , but it did take the Austin goalkeeper off his line. The Loons scored on the rebound, but Markanich was ruled to have encroached in the box.
With a mulligan, Yeboah’s second attempt was pounded off the crossbar as Austin kept the 1-0 lead.
The Loons and their fans grew more and more frustrated with referee Chris Penso as the first half played out. Four Minnesota players — Pereyra, Tomás Chancalay, Nectar Triantis and Jefferson Diaz — were issued yellow cards for dissent.
Knowles stressed discipline to his players at halftime. What they also needed was James to play.
