James Rodriguez is back. And he chooses MLS. After leaving Leon in November, he found a new home in chilly Minneapolis. He will be Minnesota United’s No. 10 until June. The World Cup with Colombia is the goal. And another great deal for MLS, which is expanding its horizons.
From Miami to Minneapolis. From the left foot of Leo Messi to that of James Rodriguez. MLS kicks off its 31st season on Saturday, with a long list of Latin and Spanish stars. Without Sergio Busquets or Jordi Alba, but with Sergio Reguilon and with an investment in stadiums and sports facilities valued at more than $20 million that will serve as an appetizer for the World Cup.
Is James Rodriguez the latest global figure to land in MLS? The Colombian, a former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich player, has yet to make his debut, but his impact is already evident in the United States.The trading card made by ‘Topps NOW’ and sold in the official MLS store is already sold out. The number 10 jerseys, sold for $114.99 in the men’s version and $134.99 in the women’s version, are among the best sellers on the league’s official website.
A blessing for MLS
It was a surprising signing and a blessing for MLS. The aim was to broaden the view and steal, at least partially, the spotlight from Miami, where Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul became the epicenter of soccer in the United States.
The MLS champions, with Javier Mascherano in the dugout, lost Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, but strengthened with left-back Sergio Reguilon and Mexican striker German Berterame.
The sports projects of Minnesota or Los Angeles FC with Heung Min Son threaten Inter Miami’s throne, but the club owned by brothers Jose and Jorge Mas and Britain’s David Beckham is still hungry.
On the field and in business. After years of waiting, Inter Miami will open its new Miami Freedom Park this year, the new stadium of the Florida club that will open its doors in April.
The construction zone of the new stadium was last October the scene of the announcement of the renewal of Leo Messi, the greatest asset of the league and Inter Miami, who will continue to wear pink until at least 2028.
A new coliseum in the United States
Miami Freedom Park will not be the only new stadium in the near future of MLS.
New York City will open the new Etihad Park in 2027, the stadium that will allow it to say goodbye to Yankee Stadium. Chicago Fire will open its new soccer-only facility in 2028, and will no longer share Soldier Field with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
In addition, Dallas is renovating Toyota Park, Philadelphia Union, New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City are working on their new sports centers.
There is no doubt in MLS. When the teams arrive in the United States for the World Cup, they will realize the level of the facilities in the American league. And many of them will want to stay, says Spaniard Alfonso Mondelo, MLS sporting director.
The league announced record numbers on social media at the end of 2025. There was an average of 21,988 fans per game in the league’s stadiums, the second best mark in MLS history.
In total, 11.2 million fans watched MLS matches in person, up 12% from 2022.
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