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Major League Soccer

23 August 2026

By Jose Nunez

Whenever Antoine Griezmann has found the net, Orlando City have gone on to win.

That has certainly held true through the French forward's opening two months as a Lion, with Griezmann scoring his first MLS brace to power Orlando City to a 2-1 comeback win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at Inter.co Stadium.

Those three points moved the Lions into an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs position for the first time this season, with Griezmann playing the leading role.

After Orlando fell behind in the first half to a neat finish from Dominik Marczuk, the home side drew level in the 53rd minute. Griezmann was in the right place at the back post to tap in after recent returnee Daryl Dike saw his effort saved.

The decisive late goal came in the 81st minute, when Griezmann reacted after his attempted backheel and guided the follow-up into the net to seal a come-from-behind victory for the hosts.

"Every time I say that the stadium is very important for us in the bad moments, we need them. Today was amazing," Griezmann said after the match about the atmosphere.

"When we scored the first goal, we had, I don't know, maybe another power with the crowd. It was amazing. They pushed a lot."

With the two-goal performance, the French World Cup winner has now scored in three of Orlando's four victories since joining from LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid.

Having registered six goal contributions (4g/2a) in nine appearances across all competitions, Griezmann has quickly become a central figure in the Lions' recent revival as playoff challengers.

"He is a great example of what a great football player can be," interim head coach Martin Perelman said. "We are extremely lucky to be able to count on him. It is not easy to come to MLS, as a lot is asked of him, and he is doing well, but he is still human. He, too, needs time to adapt to the league.

"He is one of the best players in the history of the game. We need to enjoy him. We are required to enjoy being able to have him. It is an obligation. I enjoy having him here, his teammates do as well, as do the fans. I am happy that he scored both of his goals, and I think that he is enjoying his time with us, too."

Griezmann and Orlando City next travel to Allianz Field for a crucial cross-conference clash against Minnesota United FC as they continue their playoff push on Saturday (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

"We need to continue working. It was a very important victory. A tough one, a needed one," Perelman said.

"It was important, but it was three points. Now we need to rest to then be able to come back during the week, work, improve as much as we can, compete, and get the result in Minnesota, which is never easy."