Griezmann’s Orlando impact keeps Columbus Crew on the wrong end as Lions rally for 3-2 win

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Orlando City’s late-season climb accelerated on Saturday night with a 3-2 comeback win over the Columbus Crew at Inter&Co Stadium, powered by a direct goal contribution from Antoine Griezmann. The French forward scored and also set up a teammate as the Lions found a breakthrough early through Harvey Sarajian and then sealed the result late when Iván Angulo struck on the counterattack in the 89th minute.

Griezmann’s latest performance further strengthened his case for 2026 MLS Newcomer of the Year attention, according to the league’s match write-up. Since making his MLS debut less than three months ago, he has been central to Orlando’s form whenever he finds the scoresheet across all competitions, with the team going unbeaten in every game in which he has scored, posting a record of 7W-0L-1D.

Against Columbus, Orlando wasted little time creating a lead. Sarajian, who linked up with Griezmann to score the opener within a minute of Sarajian’s first MLS start, helped put the Lions on the front foot early. Sarajian’s finish set the tone for an attacking spell that stayed tied to Griezmann’s presence, as he continued to influence the flow of Orlando’s possession and attacking moves.

Sarajian later described the importance of the win in terms that matched Orlando’s overall playoff push. He said, “I think this is one of the most important victories of the season,” adding that “every game is a final now,” framing each result as “life or death in this league.”

The matchup remained competitive as the Crew battled back, but Orlando’s ability to finish the contest proved decisive. In the closing stages, Angulo converted a late counterattack to score in the 89th minute and secure the late game-winner, extending a short run of form by landing in his third consecutive match finding the net.

Orlando’s defensive work and game management also played a key role in turning that late moment into three points. Maxime Crép eau, the club’s goalkeeper, set a club record with 12 saves on the night, a figure highlighted in the match account and indicative of the pressure Columbus generated throughout the contest.

Beyond the result, the win had immediate consequences for Orlando’s position in the Eastern Conference. The Lions moved from 13th place into seventh following Saturday’s victory, as Griezmann and teammates continued to surge into the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs picture later in the season.

Griezmann’s production has continued to mount quickly as he has integrated into Orlando’s lineup. The match report notes that he has recorded 9 goals and five assists in 12 MLS appearances, numbers that underline how often Orlando’s offensive plans are tied to his ability to both finish and create scoring opportunities.

The Orlando-to-Columbus match also featured connections within the squad beyond the numbers. The source describes how Justin Ellis, a newly capped 19-year-old homegrown USMNT striker, was absent, and it highlights Griezmann’s developing partnership with Sarajian as the focal point for Orlando’s attacking rhythm in Ellis’s absence.

Sarajian spoke directly about the influence Griezmann has on the group, saying, “I have nothing but good things to say about Grizi,” and describing his enthusiasm and energy as top, adding that “everyone feeds off his charismatic personality.” The account also references a social media moment in the days leading into the match, noting that Griezmann posted a high school football picture of Sarajian on his Instagram page and that the interaction preceded Sarajian’s opener.

Orlando’s win set the club up for its next step in the playoff chase with a trip to Toronto FC on Wednesday night. The match is listed for 7:30 pm ET and will be available on Apple TV, as the Lions look to continue building momentum after moving into seventh place.

As Crép eau pointed out in the post-match comments included in the same account, the playoff sprint demands consistent results. He said, “Honestly, every game now, there’s so much on the line right now,” describing the schedule as a marathon that has moved into a “final sprint,” and adding that the club is aware of the remaining six games’ importance for finishing in the best possible position for the playoffs.