1. Back in the win column! Thanks to a brace from the French star Antoine Griezmann, Orlando City takes home all three points with a massive result over Real Salt Lake.
2. Coming into the match, the Lions had been in a tough stretch. Not only was this the sixth match in 18 days, but it followed a 2-1 home loss to the Chicago Fire. Orlando was desperate for a result, and tonight was prime for three points against a heavily rotated Real Salt Lake side.
3. The first half was forgettable for the Lions. After 45 minutes, Orlando was unable to generate a shot on goal. A frustrating first half that culminated in a goal conceded in the 36th minute. It's been a trending theme over the past few games of Orlando conceding first and battling back into the game.Â
4. After the game, Antoine Griezmann spoke about that trend, saying, "We need to change that. I don't know how, but yeah, we can't start the games like that. I think we are starting good with the ball, but defensively we are
without energy or without pressure. So this is something to watch and to do better."
5. Much like in past games, the Lions responded with an equalizer. After RSL goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar (the first Orlando City homegrown goalkeeper way back when) restarted a play from a goal kick, Orlando was able to transition into the attack. Joran Gerbet was able to intercept a loose ball and leave it for Eduard Atuesta. He then played a cutting through ball in for Justin Ellis, who sent in a cross into the box. Daryl Dike, who came in just minutes earlier, was able to control it and strike toward goal, but his shot was saved by Stajduhar. The saved shot, however, fell right into the path of Antoine Griezmann, who stabbed it home to equalize.
6. The halftime subs of Gerbet, Ellis, and Dike helped open up the game for Orlando, all three of whom contributed to the opening goal for Orlando. It was a change that helped the Lions become more aggressive and attack-minded, opening up the game for the home side.
7. It took another 30 minutes before Orlando was able to find the back of the net again, but once again, Antoine Griezmann stepped up and delivered. After Tyrese Spicer, a second-half sub himself, drove into the box from the left side. A cross from just outside the box found Griezmann in the box. After a backheel flick hit off a defender and right back to the Frenchman, Griezmann was able to settle it and hit it through traffic and find the eventual game-winner.
8. After the game, Griezmann said about his goal, " I saw a lot of legs, and I tried to just make a pass between the legs of the defenders. Here is when you need to be patient, but just for one or two seconds. And today I was very patient in this time. This is why I scored."
9. The final 11 minutes plus stoppage, the defense was able to hold firm and see out a much-needed three points at home.
10. Now the Lions head on the road for the first time this month as they head to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota United. That match will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET from Allianz Stadium.
