PHOTO VIA ORLANDO CITY SC - NO PHOTOGRAPHER LISTED
Orlando City SC returned from the MLS break for the FIFA World Cup with a statement win, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 on Wednesday night at PayPal Park.
- David Brekalo opened the scoring in just the seventh minute on an Eduard Atuesta free kick. Iván Angulo doubled the lead in the 29th minute, collecting a pass from Atuesta outside the box and driving a low shot past goalkeeper Angus Gunn .
- Three minutes into the second half, Antoine Griezmann scored his first goal as a Lion in his MLS debut. Justin Ellis intercepted a pass in the final third and played Griezmann through on goal, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner held off three defenders before tucking a low shot into the bottom corner. The goal also marked the 300th of Griezmann’s professional club career.
- Braian Ojeda capped the scoring in the 73rd minute, picking up his fifth goal of the season across all competitions, the second-most on the team.
Interim head coach Martín Perelman made one change to the starting lineup from the club’s previous match against FC Cincinnati, inserting Griezmann into the XI. Defender Nolan Miller (knee) and midfielders Joran Gerbet (knee) and Martín Ojeda (thigh) missed the match with injuries, while defender Clovis Archange and midfielder Colin Guske were away on international duty.
“Very happy on the victory,” Perelman said. “The way the guys performed today, I think it was amazing. It was a really good start to the second part of the season, so we’re so happy.” Perelman said the team’s defensive effort stood out most from the performance, calling it a difficult matchup that required both preparation and character. He also praised Griezmann’s presence in the locker room, saying the forward brings humility and good energy to the group beyond his ability on the field.
Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau echoed those comments, calling Griezmann “such a gentleman” on and off the field and crediting him with relieving pressure on the team’s buildup play. Crépeau also credited the club’s coaching staff and players for their work during the World Cup break, which he described as a mini preseason ahead of the second half of the year.
Orlando City returns to Inter&Co Stadium for its first home match since May, hosting Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC on Saturday, July 25. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
