MATCH RECAP: Griezmann strikes first as Orlando City tops Rayados

By Alex Thierry

After a weather delay, Orlando City weathered relentless pressure from CF Monterrey—including three disallowed goals and a penalty overturned by VAR—to begin its Leagues Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Monterrey thought it had taken an early lead, but the goal was ruled out after video review. After that, Orlando City opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a first-time finish by FIFA World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann. 

Without regular starters, Matías Almeyda’s squad struggled to create clear chances in and around Orlando City’s box during the first half. Monterrey had another goal ruled offside early in the second half, and Maxime Crépeau, Canada’s national team goalkeeper, was vital to keeping Rayados off the scoreboard at a pivotal moment of the game.

As Monterrey pushed for an equalizer, Orlando City found space on the counterattack, resulting in a penalty converted by Tyrese Spicer in the 60th minute. Down by two goals, Monterrey's head coach called reinforcements from the bench, adding Jesús Corona, Hugo Cuypers, Lucas Ocampos, and Diego Rossi.

However, Monterrey continued to see its attacks denied and couldn't find a way back into the match, finishing the night with three goals ruled offside and a penalty overturned by VAR. Orlando City, meanwhile, was closer to extending its lead, taking advantage of the open spaces.

The referee added nine minutes of stoppage time, and Lucas Ocampos delivered a cross that Hugo Cuypers converted with a header eight minutes into additional time, but this proved too little, too late, and Monterrey left Inter.co Stadium with no points and little margin for error heading into its meeting with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

REACTIONS:

• Orlando City Head Coach Martín Perelman
  • “It was a huge effort from our players, an amazing atmosphere in the stadium and a really good victory for our club.”
• Monterrey Head Coach Matías Almeyda
  • “There are no excuses. We played a good match, but committed two errors that can be corrected. This team will be stronger.”

PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:

• Orlando City:
  • Tyrese Spicer was all over the place and contributed to the victory with a goal and an assist.
• Monterrey
  • Lucas Ocampos created chances and assisted Cuypers for a late goal.

GAME NOTES:

• Antoine Griezmann scored again for Orlando City in his Leagues Cup debut
• Orlando City continued its strong attacking form after scoring 13 goals in its previous five MLS matches.
• Hugo Cuypers scored his first goal with Monterrey.
• Monterrey had 3 disallowed goals and a penalty overturned by VAR.

CARDS/INJURY REPORT:

• Yellow Cards:
  • Orlando City: David Brekalo, Maxime Crépeau, Wilder Cartagena
  • Monterrey: Luca Orellano, Jorge Rodríguez, Roberto de la Rosa, Luis Reyes, Luis Cárdenas

LOOKING AHEAD

• Orlando City: Aug. 8 vs. Club León
• Monterrey: Aug. 8 vs. Monterrey