Orlando City SC returned from the World Cup break with a new look to its roster and a dominant 4-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night in northern California.
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The Lions (5-9-2, 17 points) make their post-Cup home debut Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Nashville SC at the rebranded Inter.co Stadium.
Updated roster. Updated stadium name.
Updated result against Nashville, which sits atop the Eastern Conference of MLS at 12-1-3, 39 points?
Nashville, after all, routed the Lions 5-0 on March 21. The Lions are 10th in the East. The result against San Jose on Wednesday was a positive step coming out of the break against the second-place team in the Western Conference.
“We won a really good game against a really difficult opponent, which we respect a lot. But it’s over,” Orlando interim head coach Martín Perelman said. “We just need to continue performing and getting the results. Especially at home, that for us is very important to keep the points at home.”
Nashville earned that home victory in March, but the Lions are a different team than they were early in the season. International star Antoine Griezmann scored in his MLS debut against San Jose on Wednesday and should make his first home appearance Saturday. Eduard Atuesta added three assists, and youngster Justin Ellis recorded an assist on Griezmann’s goal.
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David Brekalo, Iván Angulo and Braian Ojeda all scored their first goals of the season for the Lions against the Earthquakes.
“Having (Griezmann) here with us is amazing because he raises our energy, our confidence,” added Perelman. “Not only with his talent but especially with his personality. Every day he’s amazing.”
Nashville has won five consecutive MLS matches, including the final three before the World Cup break and both since the restart. Sam Surridge has scored 10 goals through 10 MLS appearances this season. Orlando’s defense has allowed 44 goals, the most in the Eastern Conference, and faces a dynamic attacking threat featuring Surridge and Hany Mukhtar (six goals, four assists).
Nashville has allowed just 11 goals in 16 matches, the fewest in the Eastern Conference. Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan has his team atop the standings for the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Orlando is just outside the top nine playoff positions. A victory could see the Lions potentially leapfrog DC United into ninth.
After Saturday, the Lions head to New York on Aug. 1 to take on Red Bull New York.
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