Antoine Griezmann is getting comfortable in Major League Soccer. The international star, who joined Orlando City after the World Cup break, scored two second-half goals Saturday night to help the Lions beat Real Salt Lake 2-1.
The victory ended Orlando City’s four-match winless streak in all competitions and improved the Lions to 7-11-3, 25 points. Real Salt Lake fell to 8-8-4 and remained with 28 points as its winless streak increased to seven games.
Orlando City trailed 1-0 into the second half before Griezmann recorded his first multi-goal game in MLS to complete the comeback. He has five goal contributions (three goals, two assists) in six MLS games.
The 35-year-old forward scored the winner in the 81st minute after a scramble in the box. He settled the ball after receiving a backheel flick before slotting it home with right-footed shot for the 2-1 lead. The French standout now has four goals in all competitions for Orlando.
“It was a complicated game,” Griezmann said. “It’s never easy starting off with a negative mark like that, but we made changes at halftime and put more guys further up the field.
“In the final zone, we were a lot more aggressive. We were pressing more and more aggressive with our press, and it was a really good way to get the win tonight.”
Salt Lake scored its goal in the 36th minute. Sam Junqua sent in an excellent cross toward Dominik Marczuk. Orlando’s Zakaria Tiafi left Marczuk unmarked, allowing Marczuk to bury a shot for a 1-0 lead as he scored his first goal of the season.
Maxime Crepeau was only needed to make two saves, but they made all the difference. Marczuk had a chance to score in first-half stoppage time, but Crepeau made a point-blank save to keep the deficit at one headed into the break.
Griezmann, Justin Ellis and Daryl Dike combined for the Lions to make it 1-1 in the 53rd minute. Ellis crossed into the box, and Dike’s shot was saved by Mason Stajduhar. Griezmann was lurking in the area to smash home the rebound and even the game before he was able to nail down the victory later.
Stajduhar made his first start for RSL in his second season with the club and finished with one save. The 28-year-old made 16 starts across his first six MLS seasons, all with Orlando City. The Lions traded Stajduhar to RSL in January 2025.
“Scoring those two goals was important, and making sure I was able to put away the rebound as well,” added Griezmann. “Obviously there is always going to be things that you have to improve, but I think we’re on a good path right now. The most important thing is the victory and the three points.”
Orlando’s six-game homestead ended and the Lions’ next match is on the road against Minnesota United next Saturday.
Maxime Crépeau of Orlando City makes a save during the first half against Real Salt Lake at Inter.Co Stadium on Saturday night. Crépeau and the Lions won 2-1. (Alex Menendez/Getty Images)