Even after the shut-out defeat to Charlotte FC, Orlando City SC stock continues to rise in several ways.
Charlotte FC had the number of Orlando City SC from the beginning. The Lions beat Charlotte in shots on target, 7-6, and duels won,16-6. Yet nothing Orlando could do translated into a score.
Henry Kessler scored the first goal at the six-minute mark, assisted by Ashley Westwood. All the rest came in the second half for a 4-0 Charlotte victory.
Then Allan Saint-Maximin banked a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 49th minute, assisted by Harry Toffolo and Kristijan Kahlina. Abdoulaye Doucoure made it 3-0 in the 84th minute. Rodolfo Aloko scored the fourth in stoppage time, assisted by Tyger Smalls and Pep Biel.
As hard as Orlando tried to play a strong defense, Charlotte almost made another goal on a penalty shot by Saint-Maximin in the 84th minute. It was one of only two saves made by Lions goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau in this match.
Three of the Lions’ seven shots on target came from star striker Antoine Griezmann. Despite this one-game setback, he had goal contributions in 12 consecutive matches. He matched a record set by Martin Ojeda in 2025. A goal in this match would have set a new club record.
That doesn’t diminish Griezmann’s accomplishments for Orlando since joining the squad in July. Across 20 appearances in all competitions, he has 15 goals and eight assists for 23 goal contributions.
MLS reports that the Griezmann jersey has risen to No. 5 in the official league sales. Fans are realizing what club officials saw in the player early this season when they signed him.
Even team owner and chair Mark Wilf gave statements on what scouts and executives looked for in Griezmann. At the beginning of the MLS season, the team was missing focus. From Griezmann, they wanted impact.
The team started this MLS season in a miserable spot. Now, Orlando City SC has clinched at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs. Some of that miraculous turnaround comes from the impact of Antoine Griezmann.
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