Griezmann grabs goal in Orlando opener: how forward’s MLS debut unfolded
Antoine Griezmann enjoyed a dream MLS debut, scoring for Orlando City as the Lions thumped San Jose Earthquakes.
On Wednesday, as Major League Soccer returned to action following the World Cup break, Orlando City traveled to PayPal Park to take on the San Jose Earthquakes in Antoine Griezmann’s MLS debut.
Griezmann was in the starting lineup for Martín Perelman’s side and played a pivotal role in Orlando’s emphatic 4-0 victory over a San Jose team coached by legendary manager Bruce Arena.
The new signing made an immediate impact. The former Atlético Madrid forward was instrumental throughout the match and helped power Orlando’s second-half surge, scoring his first goal in American soccer in the 48th minute.
Griezmann found himself unmarked at the edge of the San Jose penalty area to collect a pass from Justin Ellis. The Frenchman calmly beat a defender and drove a low shot inside goalkeeper Angus Gunn’s near post to score his first goal in MLS.
The veteran striker played all 90 minutes in his first appearance for Orlando. The result was a much-needed response from the Florida club, which entered the match on the heels of a heavy 6-2 defeat to FC Cincinnati before the World Cup.
Watch Griezmann’s first MLS goal:
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN!!
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 23, 2026
Grizi gets his first goal in MLS on his debut. 🇫🇷🤙🤙 pic.twitter.com/sawo0h1yLJ
When do Orlando and Griezmann play next?
Griezmann will be back in action for Orlando on Saturday, when the Lions host Nashville SC at Exploria Stadium. They will then travel to New York to face the New York Red Bulls before opening their Leagues Cup campaign against Liga MX powerhouse Monterrey.
Despite the convincing win over the Earthquakes, Orlando remains outside the MLS playoff positions in the Eastern Conference, sitting two points behind D.C. United and five points adrift of the New York Red Bulls.
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- Angus Gunn
- 5 Daniel Munie
- 28 Benji Kikanovic
- 18 Reid Roberts
- 2 Jamar Ricketts (73')
- 7 Ousseni Bouda
- 34 Beau Leroux (85')
- 14 Ronaldo Vieira (80')
- 11 Timo Werner (73')
- 20 Nick Fernandez (45')
- 19 Preston Judd
- Substitutes
- 79 Darius Johnson (73')
- 40 Jonathan Gonzalez (80')
- 3 Paul Marie (73')
- 4 David Romney
- 6 Ian Harkes (85')
- 16 Jack Skahan (45')
- 25 Max Floriani
- 17 Jack Jasinski
- 31 Francesco Montali
- 71 Maxime Crépeau
- 4 David Brekalo
- 3 Adrián Marín (78')
- 24 Griffin Dorsey
- 6 Robin Jansson
- 20 Eduard Atuesta (78')
- 11 Tiago (58')
- 77 Iván Angulo (78')
- 8 Braian Ojeda
- 22 Justin Ellis (83')
- 7 Griezmann
- Substitutes
- 44 Bernardo Rhein (78')
- 14 Tyrese Spicer (58')
- 5 Luis Otávio (78')
- 16 Wilder Cartagena
- 12 Javier Otero
- 23 Harvey Sarajian (78')
- 29 Tahir Reid-Brown
- 19 Zakaria Taifi (83')
- 57 Iago Teodoro
Substitutions
Jack Skahan (45', Nick Fernandez), Tyrese Spicer (58', Tiago), Paul Marie (73', Jamar Ricketts), Darius Johnson (73', Timo Werner), Bernardo Rhein (78', Adrián Marín), Luis Otávio (78', Eduard Atuesta), Harvey Sarajian (78', Iván Angulo), Jonathan González (80', Ronaldo Vieira), Zakaria Taifi (83', Justin Ellis), Ian Harkes (85', Beau Leroux)
Goals
0-1, 6': David Brekalo, 0-2, 29': Iván Angulo, 0-3, 47': Griezmann, 0-4, 71': Braian Ojeda
Cards
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
VAR Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero, TJ Zablocki
Eduard Atuesta (35',Yellow), Timo Werner (45',Yellow), Ronaldo Vieira (51',Yellow), Preston Judd (66',Yellow), Harvey Sarajian (79',Yellow), Daniel Munie (93',Yellow)
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