Ten points in six matches since he arrived
Antoine Griezmann has changed Orlando City’s season. Before he arrived from Atletico Madrid this summer, the club had picked up 14 points from 15 matches. Since then, they have won three, lost two, drawn one and taken 10 points. Orlando (7-11-3, 24 points) sit ninth in the East, the last playoff spot.
Last Saturday, the 2018 World Cup winner scored his first brace in his new colours in the 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake. MLS named him player of the week on Monday.
The club heads to Saint Paul on Saturday night to face Minnesota United. It is the Lions’ first trip to Minnesota since 2023, when they snatched a 2-1 win thanks to a Duncan McGuire goal in the 88th minute.
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Two wins in 10 at Allianz Field
The Loons (7-7-7, 28 points) are coming off a grim nine-match winless run, which finally ended with a 5-1 thumping at San Jose last Saturday. Kelvin Yeboah scored twice there and took his tally to 10 goals, the best return at the club.
Minnesota’s real problem is elsewhere. They have won only two of their 10 home games this season (2-3-5). Their last victory at Allianz Field came on April 18 against Portland, a 2-0 result.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a result,” admitted Cameron Knowles, the Loons’ head coach. “Like I said, I think we’ve put in performances that deserved more. I’m happy for the lads because they work hard for it.”
Perelman leans on the analysts
The match pits two teams hovering around the playoff line, each in their own conference. Minnesota are 10th in the West, but level on points with three sides above them. In other words, a win on Saturday is worth plenty more than three points in the standings.
Martin Perelman, Orlando’s interim head coach, is leaning on his analytics staff as he prepares for an opponent he does not often face.
“It’s a team from the other conference,” he said. “We look at them, and we have a very good analytics department that helps us a lot. But we focus first on our own team, because we respect every opponent. We need to take care of ourselves first. The tactical prep comes after that.”
Orlando arrive in Saint Paul with a Frenchman in form and a playoff spot to hang on to. Minnesota have not won at home in four months.
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