Griezmann scores on debut as Orlando City crush Rowdies 6-0
Antoine Griezmann opened his Orlando City account with a goal and an assist in a 6-0 friendly rout of the Tampa Bay Rowdies on July 8, 2026, at Inter&Co Stadium. Less than 24 hours after his lavish unveiling, the French star delivered the performance Lions fans hoped for, underscoring Orlando's biggest signing since Kaká arrived in 2015.
Key Takeaways
- Orlando City beat USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies 6-0 in a season-ticket-member friendly at Inter&Co Stadium.
- Antoine Griezmann scored in the 32nd minute and assisted Iván Angulo in the 61st during just over an hour of play.
- Five different Lions found the net, plus a Rowdies own goal, in interim coach Martin Perelman's return-to-play scrimmage.
- Griezmann was unveiled on July 7 with a trophy pledge and an MLS dream dating to age 18; a Florida derby with Lionel Messi awaits.
- Orlando next face FC Dallas in a friendly before MLS resumes at San Jose on July 22.
What Happened in Orlando City's 6-0 Friendly Win?
The Antoine Griezmann era got off to a flying start as Orlando City crushed the Tampa Bay Rowdies 6-0 in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium, according to The Mane Land. The match, open to season ticket members and supporter groups, served as a return-to-play scrimmage ahead of the MLS season restart.
Interim head coach Martin Perelman handed Griezmann his first start since the forward joined in late June. Griffin Dorsey made it 2-0 two minutes after Griezmann's opener when Sebastian Cruz deflected a cross into his own net. Harvey Sarajian, Zakaria Taifi, and Gustavo Caraballo added late goals as five different Lions scored in the rout.
How Did Antoine Griezmann Perform on His Debut?
Griezmann received the ball on the left wing in the 32nd minute, cut across the top of the box, and curled a soft shot inside the right post for a 1-0 lead. In the 61st minute he won the ball in the Tampa Bay penalty area and calmly squared to Angulo for 3-0 before the starters were withdrawn.
Less than a day earlier, Orlando City officially welcomed Griezmann at Full Sail Live on 7/7, a fitting date for the club's new No. 7. The 2018 World Cup winner dyed his hair purple and told reporters, "Here I am, very eager, and my goal is to win a trophy and make the whole city happy," per MLSsoccer.com.
Why Does Griezmann's Arrival Matter for Orlando City?
Orlando's signing of Griezmann from Atlético Madrid ranks among the club's most ambitious moves since Kaká launched the Lions into MLS. His Designated Player deal runs through 2027-28 with a club option for 2028-29, and he arrives as Atlético's all-time leading scorer with trophy ambitions intact.
"Since I was 18, it was my dream to come to MLS," Griezmann told reporters, adding that sporting director Ricardo Moreira's visit to his Madrid home "touched my heart." He also looks forward to facing Lionel Messi again in the Florida derby against Inter Miami, telling Reuters: "It'll be a joy to face Messi again."
What's Next for Griezmann and the Lions?
Orlando City head to FC Dallas for another friendly a week after the Rowdies match. MLS action resumes with a July 22 road trip to San Jose. For more buzz on culture, sport, and innovation crossing into everyday life, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Griezmann's first 48 hours in purple delivered a global-star welcome and a goal-plus-assist debut. If Orlando can carry that momentum into competitive play, the Lions may finally have the centerpiece their trophy push has been missing.