ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City does not resume match play for about two weeks, but Lions fans got their first look at forward Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday night.
The French forward lived up to the hype in his first unofficial match for Orlando City, scoring a goal in the 32nd minute of the Lions’ friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and registering an assist in the second half on forward Ivan Angulo’s goal.
Orlando City shut out the Rowdies 6-0.
But the focus was on Griezmann, who the Lions acquired during March in a transfer from LaLiga’s Atlético Madrid. He wrapped up his season with Atlético Madrid before joining Orlando. He is signed to a designated player contract through the 2027-28 Major League Soccer season, with an option for 2028-29.
On Tuesday, the 2018 World Cup winner set up his teammates with pinpoint passing and should have had two assists in the first half, but Angulo and Martin Ojeda did not finish the plays.
Orlando City is on a break during the FIFA World Cup, but it will get back on the pitch in Major League Soccer play July 22 against the San Jose Earthquakes in two weeks.
The date that is circled in red ink is Saturday, July 25, when Griezmann is expected to make his official home debut at Inter&Co Stadium against Nashville SC.