Where are they now?: Lucas Rodríguez
Today marks Lucas Rodríguez‘s 40th birthday!
Before the MLS era, the “Three-Year Plan,” or Allianz Field, there was the NASL championship team of 2011. And at the heart of that NSC Minnesota Stars midfield was Lucas Rodríguez. The Argentine playmaker was a fan favorite during the club’s second-division days, known for his technical flair and creative spark.
Today, Rodríguez has traded his boots for a clipboard, establishing himself as a key figure on the touchline for one of the top teams in women’s professional soccer.
Loons career (2010–2013)
Rodríguez’s professional journey began in Minnesota. Undrafted out of college, he signed with the NSC Minnesota Stars in 2010 and immediately made an impact.
- 2011 championship: Rodríguez was instrumental in the team’s magical run to the 2011 NASL Soccer Bowl title. He played a vital role in the midfield during the playoffs, helping the underdog Stars defeat the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to lift the trophy.
- Stats: Over four seasons with the Stars (later rebranded to Minnesota United), he made 61 appearances and scored 7 goals.
- Legacy: He remains one of the few connecting links to the “Stars” era, representing the grit and community spirit that built the foundation for the club’s MLS expansion.
The journey since
After leaving Minnesota following the 2013 season, Rodríguez built a dual legacy on both grass and turf.
- Indoor legend: While he played outdoor soccer for the Loons, he became an absolute icon for the Kansas City Comets in the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League). He played nine seasons of indoor soccer, scoring over 100 goals and winning the MISL Rookie of the Year award in 2011. He retired from playing in December 2020 as one of the Comets’ all-time greats.
- Jacksonville Armada: He briefly returned to the NASL in 2015 to play for the Jacksonville Armada but returned to Kansas City after one season.
Coaching in Kansas City
As of early 2026, Lucas Rodríguez is an assistant coach for the Kansas City Current in the NWSL.
He has been with the club since its inaugural season in 2021, surviving multiple coaching changes to become a staple of the technical staff. He currently serves under head coach Chris Armas, who took charge in January 2026. Rodríguez has helped guide the team through several successful campaigns, working daily with world-class players at the CPKC Stadium—the first stadium built specifically for a women’s professional sports team.
From lifting the Soccer Bowl in Blaine to coaching on the sidelines of the NWSL, Lucas Rodríguez has carved out a remarkable life in American soccer. While he is now fully embedded in the Kansas City sports scene, Loons fans from the NSC days will always remember him as the crafty Argentine who helped put a star above the crest.
