Match Events
| Min | Team | Card | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28' | Orlando City SC | Goal — Antoine Griezmann (assist: Justin Ellis) | 1-0 | |
| 51' | Orlando City SC | Substitution — Bernardo Rhein on, Martin Ojeda off | 1-0 | |
| 62' | San Diego FC | Substitution — Oscar Verhoeven on, Dagur Dan Þórhallsson off | 1-0 | |
| 62' | San Diego FC | Substitution — Ian Murphy on, Christopher McVey off | 1-0 | |
| 62' | San Diego FC | Substitution — Alejandro Alvarado Jr on, Amahl Pellegrino off | 1-0 | |
| 66' | Orlando City SC | Substitution — Joran Gerbet on, Wilder Cartagena off | 1-0 | |
| 66' | Orlando City SC | Substitution — Daryl Dike on, Tyrese Spicer off | 1-0 | |
| 75' | Orlando City SC | Substitution — Eduard Atuesta on, Marco Pašalić off | 1-0 | |
| 75' | Orlando City SC | Substitution — Justin Ellis on, Luis Otávio Costa de Aquino off | 1-0 | |
| 79' | San Diego FC | Substitution — Onni Valakari on, David Vazquez off | 1-0 | |
| 84' | San Diego FC | David Vazquez | 1-0 | |
| 85' | Orlando City SC | Luis Otávio Costa de Aquino | 1-0 | |
| 90+2' | San Diego FC | Substitution — Gabriel Pirani on, Bryce Duke off | 1-0 | |
| 90+4' | San Diego FC | kieran sargeant | 1-0 | |
| 90+8' | Orlando City SC | David Brekalo | 1-0 | |
| 90+9' | Orlando City SC | Iván Angulo | 1-0 |
Orlando City SC made home advantage count on Saturday, 5 September 2026, edging out San Diego FC 1-0 at Exploria Stadium. The hosts got the goal they needed before the break and carried that lead into half-time, then leaned on their defense to see the rest of the game out. It wasn't a thriller, but Orlando didn't need it to be. A slim margin was enough. For San Diego, there's little to take from the trip beyond a missed chance to pick up points on the road. They never found a way back after falling behind, and the scoreline stayed frozen from that first-half moment onward. Orlando, meanwhile, banks a tight but valuable three points, the kind of result that won't fill highlight reels but matters plenty in the standings.
The Matchup
Orlando City SC 1-0 San Diego FC was the final score at Exploria Stadium, in a game where Orlando City SC did enough across the ninety minutes to deserve the three points. Orlando City SC also had the better share of the ball, holding 47% possession, which usually goes hand in hand with the extra control a winning side tends to show. The shot count told a similar story, with 15 attempts from Orlando City SC against 7 from San Diego FC over the course of the game. It was not always comfortable for Orlando City SC, and San Diego FC pushed for a way back into the game, but the result stood. Games like this can carry real weight later in the season, so this is a scoreline worth remembering. Below is a closer look at how the match broke down, statistically.
Man of the Match
Match Statistics
Orlando City SC vs San Diego FC Lineups
Looking Ahead
Orlando City SC does not have long to wait before getting back out onto the pitch. Their next test comes away at Philadelphia Union, and how they respond after this result will be worth watching. You can follow the build-up and everything you need to know when Philadelphia Union vs Orlando City SC going to play at 26 September 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.
San Diego FC, meanwhile, will already be turning their attention to what comes next. They are next in action away at Austin FC, a game that will give an early sense of how they carry this result forward. Full details are here: Austin FC vs San Diego FC going to play at 27 September 2026 in Major League Soccer 2026.