The World Cup is back with the USA's biggest match of the group stage. The USMNT will face off against England on Black Friday and could use at least a draw to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stage. The match kicks off at 2 p.m. ET at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor and will air on FOX.
The match will be led by a Venezuelan officiating crew, with Jesus Valenzuela serving as the referee. This is his first World Cup match, but he has some notable international experience. He was a referee at the Tokyo Summer Olympics for three matches and the fourth official for another. In the three matches he was the referee, Valenzuela booked 10 yellow cards and a second yellow card in one of the atches.
England is a -200 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook in their second World Cup match. The USA is a +550 underdog and a draw is installed at +350. The US lost out on a big chance at three points, settling for a draw against Wales in their opener. England thumped Iran 6-2.
Total cards for Friday's match is set at 3.5 with the over priced at -120 and the under at -110. Valenzuela's officiating crew for the match will include the following, with roles and nationalities included (h/t Law 5 – The Referee):
- Assistant Referee 1: Jorge Urrego (VEN)
- Assistant Referee 2: Tulio Moreno (VEN)
- Fourth Official: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN)
- Reserve Assistant Referee: Nueza Back (BRA)
- Video Assistant Referee: Juan Soto (VEN)
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
- Offside Video Assistant Referee: Diego Bonfa ARG)
- Support Video Assistant Referee: Julio Bascunan (CHI)
- Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ezequiel Braislovsky (ARG)