Antoine Griezmann scored a goal in his MLS debut and Eduard Atuesta recorded three assists to help Orlando City rout the host San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 on Wednesday night.
David Brekalo, Ivan Angulo and Braian Ojeda also scored goals as Orlando City played a stellar match in their first contest since the end of the two month-long international break for the World Cup. Justin Ellis had two assists and Maxime Crepeau made seven saves for his first clean sheet of the season.
Griezmann, 35, recently signed with Orlando City (5-9-2, 17 points). Best known for being the Man of the Match when France won the 2018 World Cup final over Croatia, he made a quick impact by scoring the Lions’ third goal of the contest.
Angus Gunn made three saves for the Earthquakes (10-4-2, 32 points), who were one of the best teams in MLS prior to the break.
The Lions held a 15-11 edge in shots and both teams put seven on target.
Orlando City first struck on a free kick in the seventh minute as Atuesta sent a cross into the box and Brekalo snapped a header into the top right corner of the net.
Tiago had three chances to add to the lead. His left-footed shot in the 11th minute was blocked by San Jose’s Benji Kikanovic; he sent a shot wide right in the 13rd minute; and then his header sailed wide right in the 14th minute.
San Jose had a solid chance in the 18th minute but Beau Leroux’s hard left-footed shot was stopped by Crepeau.
The Lions tacked on another goal in the 29th minute when Angulo sent a right-footed shot from beyond the box into the left corner of the net.
Leroux had another opportunity in the 42nd minute but Crepeau used his right arm to knock away his header.
Orlando made it 3-0 just three minutes into the second half as Ellis intercepted a pass and fed Griezmann, who sent a low left-footed shot inside the right post.
Crepeau made another big save in the 49th minute when he got his left hand on a right-footed shot by Timo Werner.
The Lions increased their lead to four in the 73rd minute. Ellis took the corner kick and sent a short feed to Atuesta, who delivered a long cross to Ojeda, who rose and headed the ball into the right corner of the net.
–Field Level Media
