Loons: Next week might be James Rodriguez’s last in Minnesota

Minnesota United’s experiment with James Rodriguez might end in the next 10 days.

The Colombian national team opens training camp for the FIFA World Cup on May 15, and preparing for that event has always been the primary reason why the 34-year-old attacking midfielder came Minnesota in the first place.

MNUFC has two more MLS home games before that date — against Austin FC at 6 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday versus Colorado Rapids.

Will that serve as the end of Rodriguez’s time in Minnesota?

“We’re having conversations on a weekly basis,” Loons Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad said Tuesday.

The Loons have two more MLS games before it takes its own World Cup break — at New England on May 16 and home to Real Salt Lake on May 23.

El-Ahmad said the club is also talking about when its two other likely World Cup players — Michael Boxall (New Zealand) and Carlos Harvey (Panama) — will start preparing for the tournament with their respective countries.

MNUFC has a contract option to bring Rodriguez back for the second, post-World Cup portion of the MLS season, but there is little on-field reason to exercise it.

El-Ahmad was asked if he anticipates James returning in July. “We take this as it comes,” he replied.

Rodriguez also has been noncommittal on what he will do after the World Cup, saying he’s only focused on the build up to the tourney. He was outstanding in his only MLS start, creating five scoring chances in a 1-0 loss to LAFC on April 25, and spoke to reporters postgame.

“There’s still a month to go, and well, I’m training hard — training to the max, going all out, just as I always have,” Rodriguez said. “So whatever playing time comes my way here, I think it’s going to go well.”