CALIFORNIA — Orlando City defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-0 on July 22, 2026. Antoine Griezmann scored in his Major League Soccer debut.

The match took place at PayPal Park in California. This game was the first for both teams since before the 2026 FIFA World Cup break. His goal was the third for Orlando City in the match. The goal marked his 300th career goal in all competitions.

David Brekalo scored his first goal of the season for Orlando City. Braian Ojeda also scored a goal for Orlando City. Eduard Atuesta assisted Brekalo's goal with a free kick in the seventh minute. Atuesta assisted Angulo's goal with a pass in the 29th minute.

Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made seven saves. Angus Gunn made his MLS debut for the San Jose Earthquakes. The French forward is 35 years old.

Orlando City acquired Griezmann from Atlético Madrid in March 2026. The soccer club in Major League Soccer secured the player for an undisclosed club-record fee as their third Designated Player.

He formally joined Orlando City when the MLS summer window opened on July 13, 2026. He signed a two-year contract through the 2027-28 season with a club option for 2028-29. The French footballer born in 1991 is Atlético Madrid's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals and 97 assists in 488 matches. Martín Perelman is the interim head coach of Orlando City.

"With [Griezmann], it's unique. I will repeat one more time. As a player, I'm not going to talk about him, because everybody knows," Perelman said.

"But as a person, we are more than happy. He's so humble, so unique, so special." Perelman added that the energy he brought to the locker room was unique. "I think everybody is enjoying him, me as well. And he merged with the great group that we have here, so we are more than happy," he said.

He played 16 seasons in La Liga with Atlético Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Barcelona, and one season in La Liga 2. He recorded 205 goals and 101 assists in 564 La Liga appearances. His record includes 44 goals and 16 assists in 120 Champions League appearances.

He finished third in Ballon d’Or voting twice. He was voted La Liga’s Best Player once. He appeared in 137 games for the French national team, scoring 44 goals.

Orlando City is currently ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference. Orlando City has not conceded a goal to the San Jose Earthquakes since 2019, dating back to their last meeting before the 2026 FIFA World Cup break. He has made 24-hour trips to the United States to watch NFL and NBA games, showcasing his long-standing interest in American sports culture. "Here I am, very eager, and my goal is to win a trophy and make the whole city happy," he said.

"The group is fantastic. Players with a lot of quality, with a lot of heart, and they’ve welcomed me incredibly, and I already feel at home," he said. "It feels like I’ve been here for months in the locker room, and that’s thanks to them." He noted that his dream since age 18 was to come to Major League Soccer.

"It was important for me to arrive physically and mentally well, and that’s why I made the move.. I came to visit the city, and we loved it. The kids loved it as well. It’s incredible how we've been received by everyone, and I hope I can return that love to everyone," he said.

Major League Soccer has seen 11 Designated Player signings of international stars since 2015, including Kaká (2015) and Nani (2019), setting a precedent for high-profile global transfers. His family, including his wife Erika Choperena and four children, has settled into a lakefront home in Orlando’s suburbs, reflecting his long-term commitment to the city.

His debut and 300th career goal mark a significant addition to Orlando City's roster following a club-record transfer. The victory over the San Jose Earthquakes extends a defensive record against that opponent dating to 2019. His arrival as a Designated Player follows a historical pattern of MLS attracting international stars.