By James Nalton
James Rodríguez performs in MLS
In some methods, Minnesota United’s signing of the 34-year-old Colombian appears like an old-school MLS signing: a languid South American playmaker within the twilight of his profession with diversified membership expertise however famend at worldwide degree. Not adequate to nonetheless be enjoying for high golf equipment, however doubtlessly ready to carry out some magic in MLS if the opposite gamers do his operating.
Whether any of that magic arrives stays to be seen, and MLS has seen a substantial rise in high quality because the previous days, however with a World Cup on the horizon, James will probably be wanting to impress.
He lastly made his debut for Minnesota on Sunday, however not in the most effective of circumstances. By the time he entered the pitch, his workforce had been already 5-0 down to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who ended up successful the sport 6-0.
There was some encouragement from James, although, particularly in the way in which he was ready to become involved, with 41 touches after approaching within the sixty fourth minute.
There was not a lot he might do concerning the one-sided scoreline as soon as coming into the sector late within the sport, however there’ll now be anticipation that he’ll quickly make his first begin.
Given how a lot he was ready to get on the ball in a brief house of time on Sunday, Minnesota hope that if their play finally ends up going largely by way of him and he can create for these round him, issues may begin wanting up.
Two excellent data stay
Vancouver’s emphatic win took them to the highest of the Western Conference, making it 4 wins from 4 to preserve their excellent file to begin the season.
They’ve solely conceded as soon as on this run, and the six targets in opposition to Minnesota made them the league’s high scorers with 14.
Just behind them within the West, solely on aim distinction, is the opposite workforce with an ideal begin to 2026, Los Angeles FC.
LAFC are but to concede a aim, and continued their run of stable outcomes with a 2-0 win in opposition to St Louis City.
So far, the 2022 MLS Cup champions have constructed steadily following their headline-grabbing 3-0 defeat of Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on the opening day, with some 2-0 and 1-0 wins whereas balancing that with Champions Cup video games.
But it’s Vancouver who look probably the most spectacular general, and the underlying numbers again that up as they paved the way for xG and the bottom xG conceded.
Player of the week
At a time when golf equipment all over the world are playing loads of cash on strikers, FC Dallas have discovered a really helpful one.
Petar Musa might find yourself enjoying a component for Croatia on the upcoming World Cup, however for now, the 6-foot-3 striker is making an influence for the Texas workforce, which he joined in 2024 for the decent-sized sum, particularly by MLS requirements, of $13 million.
The club-record signing averages greater than a aim each different sport in MLS, and managed to rating three in opposition to among the finest sides within the league early in 2026, San Diego FC.
With a little bit of assist from the direct play of winger Bernard Kamungo, Musa helped himself to a hat-trick in a 3-3 thriller. It was the primary dropped factors for San Diego this yr, and the primary targets they’ve conceded.
Musa’s efficiency ranked him because the highest-rated participant in Matchday 4 per the FotMob rankings.
NYC’s striker experiment bears fruit
Nicolás Fernández Mercau has performed numerous positions down the flank and in attacking midfield all through his early profession with San Lorenzo, Elche, and now New York City FC, however till lately, striker was not likely considered one of them.
With Costa Rican goal-getter Alonso Martínez out injured, NYCFC’s depth within the centre-forward place abruptly regarded worryingly skinny, however as they did on the very finish of final season, they’ve turned to the 26-year-old Argentine to attempt to remedy the issue.
Not solely has he been ready to do a job within the function, however he has emerged as among the finest within the place in MLS within the early phases of the 2026 season.
He has 4 targets and an help in 4 video games, and scored two of these in one other spectacular efficiency from the Pigeons in opposition to Colorado Rapids at dwelling on Saturday evening, leading to a 3-1 win.
He’s a distinct proposition for defenders than the extra conventional centre-forward like Musa at Dallas, or the spectacular Englishman Sam Surridge at Nashville, however his busy attacking play and quickness to shut down in defence fits the type of Pascal Jansen’s facet.
With Talles Magno coming off the bench to play alongside Fernández Mercau and grabbing a aim of his personal, NYCFC have gone from wanting in need of depth in assault to having some very helpful choices.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
You can observe each match from MLS with FotMob — that includes deep stats protection together with participant rankings. Download the free app here.
