The United States beat Uruguay, 1-0, to finish first in Group A, earning a quarterfinal date with Mexico (8 pm ET Friday Nov. 19). The United States was assured of a quarterfinal berth before the kickoff, thanks to New Zealand’s 2-1 upset of Poland. New Zealand, already out of contention after losses to the USA and Uruguay, eliminated Poland, leaving Uruguay and the USA to battle for first place in Group A. Had the USA finished second, it would have faced Ghana, which looks to be the tournament’s strongest team. Uruguay, needing only a tie to win the group, held the USA until the 90th minute, when Oguchi Onyewu skied above the Uruguayan defense to head home a DaMarcus Beasley corner kick. Central defender Alexander Yi received his second yellow card of the tournament and will be suspended for the quarterfinal.
| GROUP A | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | PTS |
| United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
| Poland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 |