Major League Soccer
Orlando City 2-1 Real Salt Lake: Griezmann double sinks RSL in second half
Antoine Griezmann scored twice in the final half to lift Orlando City SC past visiting Real Salt Lake at Exploria Stadium.
Orlando City SC secured a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake in a tightly contested affair at Exploria Stadium, with Antoine Griezmann's second-half brace proving decisive.
The visitors struck first in the 36th minute when D. Marczuk found the net, assisted by S. Junqua, giving Real Salt Lake an early lead heading into the break.
However, Orlando City responded quickly after the restart. Griezmann pulled his side level in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a moment of pressure to restore parity.
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Griezmann completed his brace, slotting home to send the home crowd into celebration.
Real Salt Lake struggled to find an equalizer despite pushing forward in the closing stages. Yellow cards for Lineker Rodrigues, A. Katranis, and K. Henry reflected the mounting tension for the visitors.
Orlando's E. Atuesta picked up a late yellow card in the 82nd minute as both sides searched for a winner in the final moments.
The result leaves Orlando City SC in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 21 games, while Real Salt Lake sits eighth in the Western Conference with 28 points from 20 matches.
Referee Fotis Bazakos managed a physical contest that ultimately saw home side clinch three points thanks to Griezmann's clinical finishing.
Coaches Oscar Pareja and Pablo Mastroemen watched their sides cancel each other out for long periods before the deadlock was broken by individual brilliance in the second half.
The win provides a crucial boost for Orlando City as they look to climb the Eastern Conference standings, while Real Salt Lake will rue their inability to hold onto an early advantage.
Both teams now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures, with Orlando hoping to build momentum and Real Salt Lake aiming to bounce back quickly.