PHOTO BY MARK THOR VIA ORLANDO CITY SC
Antoine Griezmann scored his first goal at Inter&Co Stadium and Tyrese Spicer added a goal and an assist Wednesday night as Orlando City SC defeated Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey 2-1 to open Phase One of Leagues Cup 2026. The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Griezmann opened the scoring in the 27th minute, sliding at the near post to finish a pass from Spicer. It was Griezmann’s second goal across all competitions since his summer arrival in Orlando and his first at Inter&Co Stadium.
Spicer doubled Orlando’s lead 15 minutes into the second half, converting a penalty he earned himself. Justin Ellis played a ball forward to Spicer, who drew a foul from goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas inside the box before burying the penalty into the upper left corner.
C.F. Monterrey pulled a goal back in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time. Former Chicago Fire FC striker Hugo Cuypers headed home a cross from Lucas Ocampos to make it 2-1, but Orlando held on for the win.
Interim head coach Martín Perelman praised the effort, saying, “Very happy for the victory. Again, it was another huge effort by our players. It was an amazing environment with our people, our fans, the stadium and the energy,” Perelman said. “So, I think it was a really good victory. I am so happy for everyone in the club, especially our players and our fans.”
Spicer said Griezmann offered him the penalty in a show of reciprocity after Spicer set up his goal.
“Antoine [Griezmann] said to me, ‘Do you feel confident to take it?’ He was like, ‘You gave me one, I give you one,'” Spicer said. “I took penalties yesterday at practice, and I put like two in the bins. I was like, ‘You know what, I can do the same thing today.'”
Spicer also credited Griezmann’s arrival with lifting the team’s overall level.
“The momentum on the team is really good right now, high morale,” Spicer said. “I think Griezmann added some experience. His passion and discipline have trickled into the team. Everyone’s looking forward to the next game.”
With the win, Orlando City moves to 4-2-7 all-time against Liga MX opposition across all competitions.
The Lions will face Club León in their second Phase One match of Leagues Cup 2026 on Saturday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m.
