Lions players numbering a lucky seven are headed to international duty. At the same time – a critical time – Orlando City SC added a key player to the roster.
It’s a critical time of lapsed focus and under-performance for Orlando City SC. As they prepare mental preparation drills and hone strategy, the club reached internationally for a key player who could spur the team to power up.
They landed striker/attacking midfielder Antoine Griezmann. He leaves Atletico Madrid, where the French star played for 10 years. Orlando signed him through 2028 with an option for 2028.
Team owner and chair Mark Wilf pointed to the foundational qualities missing from the Lions as they began the 2026 season in describing the impact he wanted from Griezmann. He described him as influential, then used the term focus to emphasize that the team – from the front office to the bench – aims to build a championship organization.
He’ll bring his game to the Orlando pitch when the secondary transfer window opens in July. This season for his La Liga side, he has scored 13 goals plus four assists in all competitions.
The 2018 World Cup winner was La Liga Player of the Year for 2015-2016. His 488 games are fourth-most for Atletico.
With improvement from his new teammates, there is no reason Griezmann won’t help the Lions electrify a pitch that has dimmed for them early in the 2016 MLS season.
Supporters should start counting on improved focus as Griezmann begins drilling with his teammates, even before he officially hits the pitch this summer. The squad won’t get sharper and tougher merely by adding a quality player.
But with a fresh, electric connection on the field with Griezmann, the emphasis on focus, concentration, and execution will be contagious.
When times got tough for the Lions in recent seasons, the renewed foundation of focus and concentration pushed them to a toughness that resulted in a better season. Orlando City SC needs to blaze a path to that kind of toughness now.