SAN JOSE, Calif. — Antoine Griezmann, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, scored his first official goal as an Orlando City Lion — and his 300th professional club goal — in his MLS debut as the Lions routed the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 at PayPal Park.
The lopsided result marked Orlando City’s (5-9-2, 17 points) first match following the MLS break for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and came against a San Jose squad (10-4-2, 32 points) that entered with the better record. Interim Head Coach Martín Perelman called the performance a turning point: “Very happy on the victory. The way the guys performed today, I think it was amazing. It was a really good start to the second part of the season, so we’re so happy. Again, for the performance, for the effectivity, for the clean sheet, for many things, and we hope we can keep and maintain this level and these results.”
David Brekalo opened the scoring in the seventh minute, rising unmarked to head home an Eduard Atuesta free kick for his second goal of 2026 and fourth all-time for the Lions. Iván Angulo doubled the lead in the 29th minute, collecting a ball from Atuesta just outside the box and firing a low, driven effort past goalkeeper Angus Gunn at the far post. The goal was Angulo’s first of the year and 14th all-time for Orlando City across all competitions. Atuesta’s two assists brought his Lions career total to nine across all competitions.
Griezmann’s moment arrived just three minutes into the second half. Homegrown forward Justin Ellis intercepted a pass in the final third and played Griezmann through on goal. The French star held off pressure from three defenders before tucking a low shot into the bottom corner in the 48th minute. Ellis recorded his fourth assist of the year across all competitions. Paraguayan international Braian Ojeda completed the rout in the 73rd minute with a driven header from another Atuesta set piece — Ojeda’s first goal of the season. Ojeda also picked up the secondary assist on Angulo’s strike, his fifth assist of the season across all competitions, ranking second-most for the club.
Perelman made one change to the lineup from the club’s last match against FC Cincinnati, inserting Griezmann into the starting XI. Defender Nolan Miller (knee) and midfielders Joran Gerbet (knee) and Martín Ojeda (thigh) missed the match due to injury. Defender Clovis Archange and midfielder Colin Guske were absent on international duty with Canada U-20 and U.S. U-20, respectively. With the clean sheet, the Lions have not conceded a goal to San Jose since 2019.
Orlando City returns to Inter&Co Stadium for its first home match since May when the club hosts Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.