Antoine Griezmann double fires Orlando City into MLS playoff places

Antoine Griezmann struck twice after half-time to overturn Real Salt Lake’s lead and propel Orlando City back into the MLS playoff picture.

Antoine Griezmann produced a decisive second-half display as Orlando City recovered from a sluggish start to beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 and climb into the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference on Saturday.

The French forward, 35, cancelled out Dominik Marczuk’s first-half opener before completing the turnaround nine minutes from full-time, turning a deflected effort inside the box into the winner.

Orlando had struggled to impose themselves during the opening period, with Salt Lake making the most of a long delivery from Sam Junqua to take the lead through Marczuk.

The hosts responded with greater intensity after the interval, however, and Griezmann was at the centre of their revival.

He reacted quickest to a rebound after goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar had denied Daryl Dike, restoring parity in the 53rd minute before eventually producing the moment that decided the contest.

The result was particularly important for Orlando, who ended a three-match MLS run without victory and moved onto 24 points, edging into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Salt Lake, meanwhile, remain eighth in the Western Conference on 28 points but are now without a league victory in seven consecutive matches, a run that is threatening to derail their postseason ambitions.

Orlando also finished the contest with 59.6 per cent possession and 13 attempts compared with Salt Lake’s nine, reflecting their improved performance after the break.

Griezmann’s contribution could prove significant as the Lions attempt to secure a place in the postseason, with the former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward showing that he can still produce the decisive moments despite being well into his 30s.

For Orlando, the biggest reward was not simply the victory but the timing of it, with the Eastern Conference playoff race tightening and every point becoming increasingly valuable.