Antoine Griezmann shines for Orlando City in Major League Soccer

Antoine Griezmann delivered his biggest performance yet for Orlando City by scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on the 21st matchday of Major League Soccer. The French forward’s brace settled a match in which Orlando secured the win despite Salt Lake scoring once. It was Griezmann’s first double for the Florida club and the clearest sign so far that he is becoming central to its attack.

His first goal came after the interval, when he reacted quickest to a shot or delivery that the Real Salt Lake goalkeeper had pushed away. Griezmann was in the right position to finish the loose ball. His second arrived with 10 minutes remaining. After Orlando broke forward, a favourable deflection created space inside the area, and Griezmann used his right foot to guide the ball into the bottom corner.

The second finish reflected the patience he said was necessary in the moment. “I saw a lot of legs and I tried to pass between the legs of the defenders,” Griezmann explained after the match. “That is when you have to be patient, but just one or two seconds. Today, I was very patient. That is why I scored.” The comment matched the decisive detail of the goal: he waited for the opening instead of forcing the first attempt.

The two goals took Griezmann’s early Orlando record to two goals and two assists in eight appearances. That return gives him a direct contribution in half of those matches and shows an increasingly productive adaptation to the North American league. His influence has grown over the latest fixtures, culminating in a performance that directly changed the result against Salt Lake.

Griezmann arrived in Orlando after years at the top level of European football, with Atlético de Madrid as the defining club of the later part of his career. His transfer history also includes moves between Atlético and Barcelona: Barcelona paid €22 million for his return from Atlético in the 2023/24 record, while Atlético’s move to bring him back from Barcelona is listed at €10 million in 2021/22. The latest transfer, from Atlético to Orlando, is recorded in the 2026/27 season.

At 35, Griezmann is listed as a second striker and remains a France international. His move to Orlando represents a change in competition and surroundings rather than a reduction in responsibility. Orlando’s attack has quickly made him a prominent figure, and the Salt Lake match showed the value of his movement, positioning and composure near goal. His record also includes hamstring and ankle injuries, making his ability to establish a regular run of appearances an important part of this new phase.

The wider MLS picture includes other major names, but Griezmann’s start has given Orlando a distinct attacking reference. His brace came on the same matchday that Lionel Messi scored for Inter Miami, although Miami lost 2-1 to Toronto. The contrasting results placed the focus on Orlando’s win and on Griezmann’s role in producing it. His contribution was not limited to reputation; both of Orlando’s goals came from his finishing.

The result gives Griezmann and Orlando momentum as the league campaign continues beyond its 21st matchday. His next challenge is to turn this breakthrough performance into sustained production across the remaining fixtures. For now, the early numbers are clear: eight appearances, two goals, two assists and a first Orlando brace that secured a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake. The player who left Atlético for MLS is already making the new competition his stage.