Antoine Griezmann was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 31 after helping Orlando City SC defeat D.C. United 4-1. The Orlando City SC forward scored twice and added an assist at Inter.co Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. It is Griezmann’s second MLS Player of the Matchday award of the season.
Griezmann leads Orlando City SC past D.C. United
Griezmann opened the scoring in the 15th minute after receiving the ball from Daryl Dike and combining with Martin Ojeda. He assisted Ojeda’s scorpion-kick goal in the 22nd minute, extending Orlando City SC’s lead to 2-0. After D.C. United reduced the deficit to 2-1 before halftime, Griezmann scored again in the 50th minute by capitalizing on a defensive giveaway.
The performance gave Griezmann 12 goals and seven assists in 14 MLS matches since joining the league in July. He has recorded at least one goal contribution in 12 of those 14 matches. Orlando City SC is 8-3-3 in Griezmann’s 14 appearances.
Historic start to Griezmann’s MLS career
Griezmann’s 19 goal contributions are tied for the second-most among MLS newcomers. Houston Dynamo FC’s Guilherme leads that group with 26 goal contributions. Griezmann is the first player in league history to record at least one goal contribution in 12 of his first 14 games.
Griezmann also is one of three players in league history to record multiple goal contributions in six of his first 14 games. His latest honor follows his earlier MLS Player of the Matchday award for Matchday 22. He is the first French player to win multiple MLS Player of the Matchday awards in the same season since Thierry Henry won five with Red Bull New York in 2012.
Orlando City SC moves into playoff position
Orlando City SC climbed from outside the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs line to the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. The club has 41 points and a 12-13-5 record. Its 8-3-3 mark in Griezmann’s 14 matches accompanies that move in the conference standings.
Major League Soccer selects the Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA through media and fan voting conducted by MLS Communications. North American Soccer Reporters voting accounts for 75 percent of the total, while an Instagram fan vote accounts for the remaining 25 percent. The award recognizes Griezmann’s Matchday 31 performance against D.C. United.
What comes next for Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC will host New York City FC at Inter.co Stadium on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The Major League Soccer match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Orlando enters the match as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference with 41 points.
FSB Take
Griezmann’s second Player of the Matchday award reflects a decisive performance in Orlando City SC’s 4-1 victory over D.C. United. His 12 goals and seven assists in 14 matches have helped the club move to No. 7 in the Eastern Conference. The next scheduled test is a home match against New York City FC on October 24.
Source: Original report