PHOTO BY MARK THOR VIA ORLANDO CITY SC
Orlando City SC beat San Diego FC 1-0 on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium, with Antoine Griezmann scoring the lone goal in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Griezmann’s goal came in the 28th minute, after Daryl Dike sent a ball into the box for Justin Ellis, who slipped a pass across to Griezmann for a finish in the left corner. It marked Griezmann’s fourth goal and sixth goal contribution over Orlando’s last four matches.
San Diego pushed for an equalizer through the second half, but Orlando’s defense held on for the win. It was the Lions’ third clean sheet in MLS play this season and fourth across all competitions. Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau made two saves to secure his third shutout of the season. He said the team started the match confident on the ball and stayed disciplined tactically, calling the win an important step for how Orlando needs to play over the final two months of the season.
Justin Ellis, who picked up his ninth assist of the season on the play, said the win came without the team’s cleanest performance but credited Orlando’s defense for shutting down San Diego’s chances. Interim head coach Martín Perelman praised Ellis’s continued growth on the defensive side of his game, saying his offensive talent already stands out and that his development as a two-way player bodes well for his future.
Orlando City improved its standing to 8-11-4 with 28 points. The Lions travel to face rivals Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, September 9, in the final regular-season meeting between the two clubs, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
