Orlando City kicked off Phase One of its Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over CF Monterrey at Inter.co Stadium after a 90-minute weather delay.

Antoine Griezmann scored the opener and Tyrese Spicer converted a second-half penalty for Orlando (1-0-0, 3 points in Leagues Cup).

“Very happy for the victory. Again, another huge effort from our players, and an amazing environment with our people, with our fans in the stadium,” said Orlando interim head coach Martín Perelman.

“Now we enjoy the victory of today. It was a tough one, and then we have a good roster, and we will face every game in the best way possible.”

Griezmann gave Orlando the 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. Spicer’s pass from the left wing found the outstretched foot of Griezmann, who poked it home for his first goal at Inter.co Stadium.

“I saw him early enough to where he’s pointing in front, and I’m like ‘that’s my ball,’” said Spicer. “I love to play those kind of moments behind, in between the keeper and the last defender, and he saw it… I don’t know how he got his foot on it to score.”

Defender Luis Reyes kicked at the head of Maxime Crépeau in the 49th minute after Crépeau went to ground to cover the ball. Reyes was initially shown a red card that was reduced to a yellow. Crépeau was also shown a yellow for his reaction. Both teams came together in an on-field scrum that set the tone for a hard-fought second half.

Goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas was penalized for making contact with Spicer minutes later, giving Orlando a penalty. Spicer fired it to the top left of the goal to make it 2-0 in the 60th minute.

Daryl Dike came on in the 70th minute for Orlando. It was his first appearance since rejoining the club after five seasons at West Bromwich Albion. His presence forced Monterrey to dedicate a defender to keeping him in check, which opened up space for the rest of the attack.

“For the past few weeks, since I’ve been here, I’ve been working for that moment to be included, to be part of the team, and help the team get a result,” Dike said. “The guys put in a big shift before I even came on, so it was nice to be able to contribute.”

Monterrey scored a consolation goal late when Hugo Cuypers got onto the end of a cross in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time. He made an excellent run and headed it home to make it 2-1.

Orlando hosts Club León on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in its second match of the Leagues Cup.