The entirety of MLS was in action Wednesday night, and save for the handful of teams who featured a week ago, the 15-match slate marked the return to play from the World Cup break. Despite MLS’s assertion that it’ll “take it from here” after the summer tournament, there was bound to be an adjustment period after a full two months off, as some teams rediscover their rhythm while others work in new signings. And as part of the latter, that meant a spotlight on the league’s two new marquee names: the Chicago Fire’s Robert Lewandowski and Orlando City’s Antoine Griezmann.Griezmann was by far the more impressive of the two on the night, scoring to open his MLS account while generally fitting in rather seamlessly. He appeared to benefit from Orlando having played a pair of friendlies before the season’s restart, one against USL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and another against FC Dallas. The French World Cup winner scored in both, giving him a greater sense of interconnectedness with his new teammates before his official debut.It showed in a shorthanded Orlando side’s impressive 4-0 win at the San Jose Earthquakes, with Griezmann scoring — officially, for the first time as a Lion — while also enjoying a high degree of effective link-up play in his 90-minute showing.The 35-year-old opted for a spectacular opening five minutes in, attempting to lob from long range after catching new San Jose goalkeeper Angus Gunn well off his line, only to overhit his chance. In the 12th minute, he dropped a bit and played a great ball in behind, springing Tiago down the left on a 2-v-2 that ultimately didn’t pan out. In first-half stoppage time, it was another slick touch from Griezmann that nearly put Orlando in on goal, with the Atlético Madrid great clipping a ball to Griffin Dorsey, whose subsequent move was blocked.
Griezmann scores, Lewandowski quiet against Messi-less Miami as new stars debut in MLS
The two marquee summer signings officially embarked on life in MLS Wednesday night.














