Antoine Griezmann scored for a fifth straight game, and Orlando City SC extended its winning streak to three games with a 3-0 victory against visiting Toronto FC on Saturday.
Orlando (10-11-4, 34 points) is unbeaten in five straight (4-0-1). Toronto (6-8-11, 29 points) lost for the first time since July 25, snapping a seven-game unbeaten streak.
Momentum shifted back and forth between the two sides in the first half, with each having their opportunities. Both goalkeepers were sharp early. Luka Gavran deflected Tyrese Spicer’s attempt from the left side of the box over the net in the 11th minute.
Three minutes later Maxime Crepeau got over to get in front of a quick strike from Derrick Etienne Jr. off a lob feed through the box from Theo Corbeanu.
Orlando appeared to open the scoring in the 32nd minute off an own goal by Walker Zimmerman off a Griezmann kick from a set piece, but a video review for offside overturned the tally.
Griezmann’s footwork would get the Lions on the board with one that counted in the first minute of stoppage time in the opening half. Zakaria Taifi spotted the French striker heading toward the goal area and directed a feed on target from the right side that Griezmann got his left foot on to put it under the crossbar for a 1-0 lead.
Toronto came out looking for the equalizer early in the second half, forcing Crepeau to be sharp. The Canadian goalkeeper got his hands up to punch away an opportunity from Markus Cimermancic near the six-yard box in the 47th minute and in the 50th minute, he got his fingertips on the ball to deny Etienne Jr.
Rookie forward Harvey Sarajian scored his first career MLS goal to make it 2-0 Orlando in the 82nd minute. The 21-year-old took a short feed from Daryl Dike to the right side and directed it inside the far post.
Ivan Angulo struck from the top of the goal area in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time for the 3-0 final.
–Field Level Media
