Orlando City SC midfielder Ivan Angulo races past San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Nick Fernandez on a counterattack during City’s 4-0 shutout win at PayPal Park on Wednesday JUL 22, 2026. (Orlando City SC)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Orlando City SC scored four unanswered goals in a dominating 4-0 clean sheet over the San Jose Earthquakes in the first match out of the World Cup break on Wednesday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose has lost four out of its last five matches. Orlando City has won two matches in a row and had points in three out of its last four matches. With the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 loss to FC Cincinnati, San Jose remained tied with Vancouver for first place in the Western Conference.

San Jose (10-4-2-32 points) welcomed back striker Timo Werner back into the starting XI as he missed the past six matches dealing with a lower body injury. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn made his Earthquakes after being signed by San Jose two weeks ago on July 8. Gunn was one of the stalwarts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for his native Scotland. Gunn last played for Nottingham Forrest of the English Premier League and has 59 clean sheets in 218 EPL appearances. To make room for Gunn, the Quake traded Daniel to FC Dallas in exchange for up to $1 million in General Allocation Money.

Speaking of debuts, new striker Antoine Griezmann who was in the starting XI for Orlando City (5-9-2-17 points) and head coach Martin Pereiman. The star French forward and World Cup champion was signed by Orlando back on March 24 as a Designated Player.

Griezmann almost caught Gunn too far out from the goal in the fifth minute after Gunn came out to challenge ball outside the box. Griezmann’s long attempt was sailed high over the net.

Orlando City drew first blood in the seventh minute off a set piece. Eduard Atuesta’s free kick from the right wing sailed into the middle of the box where unmarked David Brekaio easily headed the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Beau Leroux had a chance in the 18th minute for an equalizer when he intercepted an Orlando City clearing attempt out of the box after Werner drove his way in from the left wing, but his cross was deflected away. Leroux’s shot attempt from just outside the box was saved by City goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

The Earthquakes thought they had tied the game in the 27th minute when Werner was sprung on a breakaway with a long ball into the middle. Werner was challenged by Crepeau before tapping it over to Daniel Munie who calmly put the ball into the back of the bet. The linesman called Munie offsides on the play as he left early before the pass was attempted.

Ivan Angulo doubled Orlando City’s lead in the 29th minute. Atuesta found Angulo with a pass to the right side. With all the time in the world, Angulo blasted a shot from 22 yards out past Gunn into the far-left corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

Griezmann recorded his first MLS goal thanks to a gift by San Jose in the 48th minute. A lazy back pass by Jamar Ricketts was intercepted by Justin Ellis just outside the box. Ellis quickly found Griezmann all alone inside the box where he made a move right then left before depositing the ball past Gunn for his 300th career goal among all competitions.

Crepeau made a diving save on a Werner chance a minute later as the Canadian goalie acted like a wall against the Quakes offensive attempts.

Orlando City scored its fourth unanswered goal in the 73rd minute on its second set piece of the match. Atuesta crossed the ball into middle of the box off of a corner kick and unmarked Braian Ojeda headed the ball just past the reach of a diving Gunn into the right corner of the net for his first goal of the season. Atuesta finished the match with three assists.

Crepau finished with six saves to earn the clean sheet. Gunn, who was at the mercy of his defense, made just one save on five shots attempts in his first match in a Quakes kit.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with two corner kicks. Orlando City also had two.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 105th meeting of the California Classico on Saturday July 25 at 7:30pm at Stanford Stadium.