The Orlando City staff didn’t sleep during the World Cup break. They loaded the Lions’ roster for the strong teams they would meet.
The San Jose Earthquakes awaited Orlando City SC, standing on 32 points in the MLS Western Conference. The Lions took their pitch with a modest seven points.
No one at the stadium had any idea what the Lions had cooking for the Earthquakes. Just seven minutes into the match at PayPal Park, Eduard Atuesta took a free kick that was headed home by David Brekalo.
Then, in the 29th minute, Ivan Angulo drove the ball for a score, assisted again by Atuesta with a second assist from Braian Ojeda.
Justin Ellis served Antoine Griezmann, who banked on his chance in the 48th minute. There was time in the 73rd minute for one more header. This one came from Ojeda, who gathered assists from Atuesta and Ellis.
San Jose goalkeeper Angus Gunn could never get into the right position against the Lions’ attack. Their favored formation remained the 4-4-2 throughout the match. Interim head coach Martin Perelman has had enough of marching in place with this team, and the players responded.
Although the Earthquakes matched the Lions with seven shots on target, Orlando keeper Maxime Crepeau saved them all. He was helped by an energized Orlando defense.
San Jose was shut out 4-0. Yet by luck and mathematics, their stagnant 32 points kept them tied for first place in the MLS West with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The resulting 10-point total for Orlando puts them solidly in 10th place in the East.
In the strongest campaigns of the Lions’ recent past, they played tough but always with their heads. They were prepared to use whatever works to manufacture a victory. This has now become the focus of their 2026 campaign.
Perelman called the victory with clean sheet the result of energy and character by Orlando City.
It’s the first clean sheet of the season for Orlando City SC. But it’s not the last.
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