Griezmann’s Brace Lifts Orlando City Over Real Salt Lake

Orlando City played their 9^th game in the last 32 days, this time against Diego Luna and Real Salt Lake. Griezmann who has been in great form of late would really set the tone in this match.

Orlando City came out with a bit different look for this one with Crepeau in goal with the back line consisting of Dorsey, Brekalo, Jansson, and Taifi. The midfield was covered by Atuesta, Otavio, Angulo, Griezmann, and Tiago with Pasalic up top.

In the 6^th minute Real Salt Lake thought they had a real good look and chance on a through-ball to Katranis. Katranis would slip it across goal line but nobody was clear on the other side for him. However, the flag did come up and even if there was a goal it wouldn’t have counted as Katranis was well offsides on the through-ball.

Shortly after the hydration break in the 36^th minute Real Salt Lake grabbed the lead on a volley from Junqua that would find Marczuk who was able to push it past a diving Crepeau. This made the game 1-0 in the 37^th minute.

Right before halftime Orlando was awarded a free kick outside the 18 yard box. Griezmann would take it and send it high into the box but Stajduhar would punch it out where it found Angulo who couldn’t control it. This led to a quick counter by Real Salt Lake that was capped by a shot from Marczuk, however Crepeau made a reaching dive to push the ball out.

The half would end 1-0 in favor of Real Salt Lake.

At the half Orlando would make 3 substitutions bringing in Ellis, Dike, and Gerbert for Pasalic, Tiago, and Otavio respectively. Right away you could feel the shift as all three players brought in were fresh and making strong runs.

In the 52^nd minute Atuesta made a nice through-ball  to Griezmann, who was unable to finish but the chances were coming for Orlando. Griezmann made an amazing run through the Real Salt Lake defense staying onside for this chance. He even had the keeper beat but his shot was just outside.

It would be the 53rd minute when Orlando would equalize the game. The play began with Ellis sending the ball into the box where Dike would attempt a shot but his shot would hit the keeper and ball would roll right to a waiting Griezmann who would tap it in. Making it a 1-1 game early in the second half.

Orlando didn’t stop there just a minute later Griezmann got another great chance but his shot went just over the cross bar. The momentum was shifting further towards Orlando, as even with the goal from Real, it never felt that it wasn’t Orlando’s game.

Orlando kept the pressure on the next few minutes with Taifi and Griezmann both getting good looks just unable to finish. Real Salt Lake just seemed to have no answer for the pressure being applied by Orlando at this juncture of the match. This would be backed up by Orlando controlling possession by nearly 65% in the second half alone.

It was the 81^st minute when Spicer would send the ball into the box to Griezmann, who admitted post-game that his first touch was not his best, however that touch deflected off a defender and right back to him. With two defenders closing in he took a low shot that went between the legs of one defender and then into the goal. That determination to not quit after the first touch is what made that goal possible.

Real Salt Lake never got another real good chance to equalize as the game would end after the additional 6 minutes of stoppage time expired. An excited Griezmann would boot the ball into the stands while Coach Perelman pumped his fists, knowing his team just played a great 90 minutes.

With their win Orlando slides into 9^th place, which puts them in the qualification playoffs. Their recent form of 5-1-4 tough had them 2 points out of 7^th which is a guaranteed playoff spot. They will need to continue this run if they want to make it deeper into the season.

Orlando City finally gets a little break as they have no mid-week games this upcoming week but will be travelling to Minnesota to play next Saturday August 29^th. Minnesota will be coming off a 5-1 rout of San Jose, but that doesn’t tell the story of their recent form. They are 2-4-4 over their last 10 matches.