Sunday 036 US Football Team: Mai International VS Orlando City, Messi leads the streak of victory

At 7:00 am on May 19, the 13th round of focus of the US professional football team started at DRV PNK Stadium, with Mai International playing against Orlando City at home. This game is not only a battle at the top of the Eastern Conference, but will also test the tactical adaptability of Mai International under Messi and the defensive resilience of Orlando City. The following is an in-depth analysis from the dimensions of the standings, core injuries, tactical games, historical confrontations, etc. All information is based on the official website of the U.S. Professional Football Team and the team announcements to ensure that it is authentic and verifiable.

1. Scoreboard situation: Mai International hit the top, and Orlando City stabilized the middle reaches

Mai International currently ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 6 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses and 22 points, only 2 points behind the top, and has a strong desire to grab points. The team has 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the last 6 league games, scoring 12 goals and conceding 7 goals. The offensive end relies on dual-core drives from Messi (5 goals, 2 assists) and Suarez (4 goals, 3 assists). The two have contributed a total of 9 goals and 5 assists this season, accounting for 56% of the team's total goals. Orlando City ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference with 5 wins, 6 draws, 2 losses and 21 points, leading the relegation zone by 12 points, and has successfully relegated ahead of schedule. The team has 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 6 league games, scored 9 goals and conceded 6 goals, and has performed stably on the away game, with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 away games, showing a certain degree of resilience.

2. Core injuries and suspension impact: Mai International lacks people on the wing, Orlando City defense line rotation

Mai International: paralyzed on the wing, lack of defense experience

According to the official injury report of the US professional football team and the Miami Herald, Mai International encountered the most severe personnel crisis of the season:

wing offense and defense imbalance: main winger Fafa Picart (migraine) and David Ruiz (hamstring injury) were absent, the right offense and defense system collapsed directly, substitute right-back Noah Allen (average 0.8 crosses per game) lacked experience and may be targeted by Orlando City.

Defense line rotation pressure: The main center back Drake Karende (additive muscle injury) is absent, forcing 22-year-old substitute Marcelo Vegant (only 6 appearances in the league) to be ordered. His partner Sergio Busquets' success rate is only 52%, ranking fourth from the bottom in the league.

The two stars on the front line are healthy and can fight: Messi and Suarez are in good shape. The two contributed a total of 9 goals and 5 assists this season, which is the absolute core of breaking the situation.

Orlando City: The core of the midfield is absent, and the rotation on the wing is tight.

Orlando City also faces a shortage of people at key positions:

Midfield control declines: The main midfielder Nicholas Rodriguez (thigh strain) and Eduard Artouets (neck injury) are absent, resulting in a 20% reduction in the interception ability of the midfield, making it difficult to effectively cut off the transmission of the Mai International midfield.

The impact of the suspension of the wing: The main winger Martin (red card suspension) is absent, the offense and defense system on the right side collapses directly, and the substitute right back Álex Valle (averages 0.9 crosses per game) lacks experience and may be targeted by Mai International.

The front line is stable: Patrick Catren (6 goals) and Gabriel Tadeu (4 goals) are in a hot state. The two contributed a total of 10 goals this season, which is the absolute core of the offensive end.

3. Recent status comparison: Mai International has a strong offensive, Orlando City's away resilience

Mai International: Messi leads the winning streak

Mai International has a 66.7% win rate in its last 6 league games, and has performed particularly outstanding at home, with 4 wins and 1 draw in its last 5 home games, and averaging 2.4 goals per game. The "dual core" combination of Messi and Suarez on the offensive end is a huge threat. The two have scored 7 goals through the middle penetration this season, accounting for 39% of the total goals. However, the defensive end concedes 45% of the goals concede on the right, and the assisted loopholes of Vegant and Busquets may be targeted by Catren. However, the team's score rate reached 40% when lagging behind (5th in the league), showing a certain degree of resilience.

Orlando City: The midfield team's condition has recovered

Orlando City has achieved 1 win, 3 draws and 2 losses in the last 6 away games, scoring 5 goals and conceded 6 goals. The offensive end relies on Catren's fulcrum role (performed 2.4 aerial confrontations per game) and Tadeu's speed (31km/h). The two have contributed 3 goals in their last 5 games, accounting for 60% of the team's total goals. The team adopts a 4-2-3-1 formation, with midfielder Max Cacrete (2.1 steals per game) and Lucas da Cunia (1.9 key passes per game) controlling the rhythm, but the success rate of high-altitude top-square-level defense line has dropped by 18%, and the cross from the wing against Mai International may become a loophole.

4. Tactical style analysis: Mai International's dual-core drive, Orlando City's defensive counterattack

Mai International: 4-3-3 formation relies on Messi, crosses from the wing, Martino is expected to continue using the 4-3-3 formation, and three central defenders Vagent, Busquets and Frey need to undertake more auxiliary defense tasks. Midfielder Taylor and Kremasky formed a double midfielder, focusing on intercepting Orlando's penetration in the middle of the city. On the offensive end, Messi and Suarez will continue to dominate the "dual-core drive". The two scored 6 goals through crosses from the wing this season, accounting for 33% of the total goals. But after Picart was absent, the team's midfield advancement may decline and rely on the individual breakthrough of winger Robert Taylor (1.4 key passes per game) to create opportunities.

Orlando City: 5-3-2 The formation shrinks the defense and relies on counterattacks

Jaime Lopez may allow Álex Valle to replace Martin as the right winger, forming a new midfield triangle with Cacrete and Da Cunia. Offensively, Catren and Tadeu will continue to dominate the "one high and one fast" combination. The two scored 5 goals through counterattacks this season, accounting for 25% of the total goals.. But after Rodriguez was absent, the team's ability to create opportunities in the midfield decreased by 12%, and it depends on the personal breakthrough of winger Gabriel Strefeza (average 1.2 successful passes per game).

5. Historical confrontation and psychological game: Mai International has the advantage, and Orlando City has expected an upset away game in the past 10 matches, Mai International has an absolute advantage with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, of which the last 3 have maintained a complete victory at home. In the first leg of the season, Mai International defeated Orlando City 5-0 at home, Messi scored 2 goals and assisted 1, but Orlando City's counterattack efficiency (one shot is right and it scored) sounded the alarm for Mai International's defense line. However, Orlando City was not completely at a disadvantage when tied 2-2 at home in the February 2025 preseason.

6. Official dynamics and on-site variables

Mi International: Attack the top, tactical stability becomes the key

Mi International officially confirmed that it will continue the tactical framework of "dual-core drive + cross from the side". Martino mentioned that "In the face of Orlando City, we need to maintain high-pressure pressing and use Messi's creativity to create murderous intent", and confirmed that Pictte, Ruiz and other wounded personnel will be absent, but it is not clear whether Taylor will return. Although this radical strategy can expand the offensive space, it may further expose loopholes in the defense, especially in the face of Orlando City's counterattack.

Orlando City: No desires and no demands, the recovery of the wing is the key

Orlando City official emphasized that Strefeza will undertake more organizational tasks. Lopez mentioned that "Strefeza's creativity and Cacrete's interception ability can make up for the vacancy of Rodriguez", and confirmed that Martin, Arturés and other injured people will be absent, but it is not clear whether Tadeu will start. Although this adjustment strategy can maintain midfield vitality, it may weaken the defensive hardness, especially when facing Mai International's cross from the wing.

7. Summary and Special Tips

Although Mai International has home advantage and offensive firepower led by Messi, its lack of people and defense experience on the wings makes its offensive depend on a single one, and defensive loopholes appear frequently. Although Orlando City is absent from the midfield core and is weak away, the defensive counterattack tactics are mature. Catren's personal ability and Strafeza's wing breakthrough are still threatening, and the away resilience remains in historical confrontations.

Special Tips: The on-the-spot starting lineup announced 1 hour before the game may have a significant impact on the game trend. For example, whether Mai International has enabled Taylor to enhance the wing breakthrough, whether Orlando City has taken the risk of making Rodriguez appear, etc. It is recommended to obtain the latest information through the official website of the U.S. professional football team or the official team channels to more accurately judge the game situation. Let's wait and see whether this focus game between U.S. professional football teams, which is at the top of the Eastern Conference, will continue to win consecutive home games or Orlando City's unanimous away points.