A. Griezmann’s brace lifts Orlando City SC from 1-0 down to a 2-1 win

Orlando City SC came from behind to defeat Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Exploria Stadium on Saturday, August 22, with A. Griezmann scoring twice after D. Marczuk had given the visitors a half-time lead in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 21 round.

Marczuk puts Real Salt Lake ahead

Real Salt Lake took control of the score in the 36th minute. D. Marczuk finished a move assisted by S. Junqua, sending the Western Conference side into the interval 1-0 ahead. Orlando City SC could not find an equaliser before half-time, leaving the home team needing a stronger second-half response.

The visitors’ advantage came with some disciplinary pressure. Lineker Rodrigues was booked in the 43rd minute, followed by A. Katranis in the 45th. Those cautions came shortly before the interval and formed part of a first half in which Real Salt Lake protected its lead.

Griezmann turns the match around

Orlando made three changes at half-time, bringing on D. Dike for Tiago, J. Ellis for M. Pasalic and J. Gerbet for Luis Otavio. The changes helped accompany a much-improved second-half display, and A. Griezmann levelled in the 53rd minute to put the match back on even terms.

Real Salt Lake responded with substitutions of its own, introducing D. Luna for A. Hezarkhani in the 61st minute, then S. Lobjanidze for Marczuk and M. Guilavogui for V. Olatunji a minute later. However, those adjustments did not prevent Orlando from completing the turnaround.

Griezmann struck again in the 81st minute, converting his second goal of the match and giving Orlando a 2-1 lead. His brace was the defining individual performance of the contest, changing the home side’s position from trailing at half-time to securing all three points. E. Atuesta was booked in the 82nd minute, while K. Henry had earlier received Real Salt Lake’s third yellow card in the 71st.

Effect on the standings

Orlando City SC began the round 10th in the Eastern Conference with 21 points from 20 matches and a 6W-3D-11L record. The victory takes the team to 24 points and a 7W-3D-11L record, with its goal difference improving from -18 to -17. It also ends a pre-match run that included a loss in Orlando’s most recent listed result.

Real Salt Lake entered eighth in the Western Conference on 28 points from 19 games, with an 8W-4D-7L record and a plus-three goal difference. The defeat leaves the visitors on 28 points after 20 matches, with an 8W-4D-8L record and a goal difference of plus two. Both teams had arrived after losses, but Orlando recovered at home through Griezmann’s second-half double.