MLS: Antoine Griezmann double and assist lead Orlando City past DC United 4-1

Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium, Antoine Griezmann settled the match inside half an hour: a goal in the 15th minute, an assist in the 22nd. Orlando City beat DC United 4-1 and hold seventh place in the Eastern Conference, the last spot that goes straight to the play-offs.

A goal, an assist, another goal

His opener summed up the evening: a one-two in the box, a clean right-footed finish. “TAKE A BOW, ANTOINE GRIEZMANN”, the official MLS account posted after the opening goal. Seven minutes later Griezmann clipped a pass for Martin Ojeda, whose acrobatic back-heel, the pick of the night’s actions, made it 2-0. In the 50th minute he pounced on a stray pass and placed his shot across goal: his second of the night and a man-of-the-match showing. The whole performance is on video on RMC Sport’s site.

A direct spot to defend

It is Orlando City’s twelfth win of the season, and Griezmann has become their trigger: a week earlier he had scored a free kick and set up a goal against Columbus Crew (3-2). Foot Mercato calls it his “new” MLS double: he had already managed one in an Orlando shirt.

Two wins in a week for Orlando, carried by three goals and two assists from their Frenchman: seven scored, three conceded across the two games. At that rate, seventh place is there to defend to the end.