Antoine Griezmann recorded his first Major League Soccer brace to help host Orlando City rally for a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.
Orlando City (7-11-3, 24 points) picked up a needed three points and snapped a three-game winless streak in league play. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake (8-8-4, 28 points) saw its winless streak in MLS matches extended to seven in a row.
Orlando City moved into ninth place — the final postseason spot — in the Eastern Conference with the victory while Salt Lake remained in eighth in the Western Conference.
Griezmann, the 35-year old French forward, scored twice in the second half to lift the Lions after a slow start.
The game-winner came in the 81st minute when Griezmann controlled the ball inside the box. His first attempt to fire a shot was deflected, but he still controlled it and fired the ball past Salt Lake goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar to break a 1-1 tie.
Orlando City’s defense staved off a couple of late chances by Salt Lake to hang on to its fifth league victory at home.
Salt Lake had four shots on target to Orlando’s three, but could only capitalize on one of them in the first half. Dominik Marczuk was the benefactor of a great long ball deep into the box by Sam Junqua on the play.
Marczuk quickly put a right foot on the high-arching ball just before Orlando City keeper Maxime Crepeau could react.
After the break, Orlando City turned up its aggressiveness on Salt Lake’s side.
Griezmann delivered the equalizer in the 53rd minute when he tapped home a rebound after Stajduhar was able to block an initial attempt by Daryl Dike right in front of the goal.
The play was set up by a turnover on Salt Lake’s half, which led to the advance upfield. Griezmann had missed an attempt just moments before, but persevered to level the match.
Orlando City controlled possession especially in the second half and outshot Real Salt Lake 13-9 overall, holding the ball 59.6% of the time.
–Field Level Media
