Griezmann unable to rectify Orlando’s challenging reconstruction efforts.
Since David Beckham’s debut in MLS in 2007, the expectations for Designated Players have been exceptionally high. This is understandable, considering their salaries often far exceed those of less prominent teammates.
However, these expectations need to be viewed in context. Soccer is fundamentally a team sport, and a DP’s success is heavily influenced by the quality of the players around them. When executed effectively, a newly signed star can quickly integrate and elevate an already strong team. Conversely, if the situation is mishandled, an MLS team may be wasting resources.
Consider the case of Antoine Griezmann.
The World Cup champion with France has joined Orlando City SC and will transition from LaLiga’s AtlΓ©tico Madrid when the MLS summer transfer window opens on July 13. Sources indicate that Griezmann has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
In doing so, he is moving to a club that is far from being a well-functioning unit.
After five matches, Orlando is in 13th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference, holding the league’s worst goal differential at minus-12. The Lions have also allowed the most shots on goal in the league, totaling 40. This situation is likely to challenge Griezmann’s appreciation for American sports culture.
The disappointing start to the season led to the dismissal of longtime manager Oscar Pareja after just three games, raising questions about why he was not let go at the end of the previous season. Much of the preseason effort now appears to have been in vain.
It is evident that Orlando’s issues extend beyond just the head coach, as they suffered a 5-0 defeat last weekend against Nashville SC. The Lions seem to be undergoing a significant rebuild. While it may not be a complete overhaul, several key components have been removed.
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s contract was not renewed, resulting in his move to Deportivo Cali in Colombia. Forward Luis Muriel has also relocated to Colombia, having been transferred to Junior FC. Center back Rodrigo Schlegel is now with Liga MX’s Atlas. Right back Alex Freeman, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, was transferred to Villarreal in LaLiga. Center back Robin Jansson is still recovering from a foot injury.
The new signings have, at least thus far, not proven to be an improvement over their predecessors. This raises the question of whether Griezmann fully understood the challenges he would face upon agreeing to the transfer.
“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City,” Griezmann stated. “From my first conversations with the club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me.”
He is certainly not joining a situation similar to that of Son Heung-Min and Thomas MΓΌller when they signed with LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, respectively. In those instances, the incoming players were seen as the final pieces of a competitive roster rather than being tasked with carrying the entire team.
Even a team like the San Jose Earthquakes, which has often been a model of what not to do in MLS over the past decade, has a foundation that appears ready to maximize the potential of new signing Timo Werner. While the Quakes may lack other stars, there seems to be a coherent strategy in place. In fact, San Jose appears to be about a year ahead in roster development, particularly in defense, compared to Orlando’s current situation.
Will Griezmann enhance the Lions’ performance? It would be difficult to make them worse. He is likely to bring some energy to an attack that includes MartΓn Ojeda and Marco Pasalic.
He will also contribute to the team’s defensive efforts. His average of 6.3 defensive interventions per 90 minutes places him in the top 25% of LaLiga forwards with over 500 minutes played, which should alleviate some pressure on a struggling defense. However, this is a significant demand for a 35-year-old, especially considering he has only completed 90 minutes six times this season. His primary role is not expected to be defensive.
“Antoine is a complete footballer — creative, intelligent, clinical — and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game,” remarked Orlando sporting director Ricardo Moreira. “Beyond his talent, he brings leadership, a relentless drive, and a championship mentality that will elevate everyone around him. This is a statement signing for our club and ownership group, and we are thrilled to welcome Antoine and his family to Orlando.”
The reality is that Griezmann will require additional support from new players. This is now the challenge facing Moreira, who has approximately four months to acquire complementary pieces that will enhance Griezmann’s unique skill set. These additions do not necessarily need to be stars; in fact, Orlando may benefit from some hardworking players who can add resilience to the team.
Can Moreira achieve this? It is possible, but given the current state of the team, he certainly has a significant task ahead to prove his capability to the fan base beyond merely signing one veteran star.
