While it really didn’t have much meaning, the U.S. still wanted to close out group play on a high note.

Prior to Sunday’s final group game against Saudi Arabia, the Americans were already assured of a spot in the knock-out rounds of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 after Ecuador drew with Senegal earlier in the day.

So, it was a game for position as a late goal by Abdulelah Alamri gave the Green Eagles a 1–1 tie and a spot in the next round as well.

For the Americans, the draw still allowed them to win the group, but the point led to a match with New Zealand — who finished second in Group E following a 2–0 loss to France Sunday — in the knock-out stage.

Brooks Lennon put the Americans up after firing a shot to find the back of the net in the 40th minute of the game.

In the 45th minute, the U.S. was forced to play a man down after Cameron Carter-Vickers drew his second yellow card of the game and was sent off.

Saudi Arabia attempted to capitalize on the man advantage, but it wasn’t until the 74th minute that Alamri rocketed a shot past American goalkeeper Jonathon Klinsmann, tying the game and, subsequently, securing the Green Eagles’ spot for the Green Eagles. They will face Uruguay on Wednesday.

For the game, the United States outshot Saudi Arabia 12–9, but the Green Eagles possessed the ball 51 percent of the game.

UP NEXT: The United States will return to Incheon to take on New Zealand in the knock-out stage of the tournament. The Kiwis finished 1–1–1 in group play, getting a win over Honduras, tying Vietnam and losing to group winner France. The winner will get the winner of Venezuela-Japan in the quarterfinals. The U.S. last reached the quarters in 2015 in New Zealand.

NOTES: Gedion Zelalem has been ruled out of the remaining games of the World Cup for the United States. He suffered a torn ACL in America’s 1–1 draw with Ecuador to start the tournament.

Highlights

Line-ups

United States: Klinsmann (GK), Acosta, Palmer-Brown (Capt), Adams, Saucedo, Herrera, Carter-Vickers, Lennon, Jones, Sargent, De La Torre. SUBS: Marcinkowski (GK), Scott (GK), Trusty, Redding, Glad, Williamson, Sabbi, Kunga, Ebobisse, Zelalem.

Saudi Arabia: Albukhari (GK), Zabbani, Alamri, Alnaji (Capt), Alsamiri, Alkhuliaf, Alyami, Altambakti, Alasmari, Al Dosari, Tarmin. SUBS: Alohaymid (GK), Alyami (GK), Albassas, Alsaluli, Alqayd, Kireiri, Aldawsari, Almuwallad, Alharbi.

Cautions

Aaron Herrera (USA) 8”, Abdulrahman Aldosari (KSA) 23’, Sami Alnaji (KSA) 30’, Derrick Jones (USA) 32’, Abullah Tarmin (KSA) 33’, Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA) 40’, Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA) 45’, Abdulelah Alamri (KSA) 65’.

Expulsions

Cameron Carter-Vickers (USA) 45’.

Results from Friday May 26 to Sunday May 28

Group A

England 1, Korea Republic 0

Argentina 5, Guinea 0

Group B

Venezuela 1, Mexico 0

Germany 3, Vanuatu 2

Group C

Costa Rica 1, Zambia 0

Portugal 2, Iran 1

Group D

Uruguay 0, South Africa 0

Japan 2, Italy 2

Group E

France 2, New Zealand 0

Honduras 2, Vietnam 0

Group F

Senegal 0, Ecuador 0

United States 1, Saudi Arabia 1

Knockout stage

May 30

Venezuela vs. Japan (Daejeon)

Korea Republic vs. Portugal (Cheonan)

May 31

Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia (Suwon)

England vs. Costa Rica (Jeonju)

Zambia vs. Germany (Jeju)

June 1

Mexico vs. Senegal (Incheon)

France vs. Italy (Cheonan)

United States vs. New Zealand (Incheon)