Freddy Adu's goal in the 89th minute gave the U.S. under-17 national team a 2-1 win over Sierra Leone Sunday in Lahti, Finland, and clinch a berth in the quarterfinals.

Sierra Leone dominated the game for long stretches, outshooting the Americans, 25-12, but John Ellinger's team again came from behind to claim the win.

Alimamy Sesay gave Sierra Leone the lead in the 32nd minute, but Guillermo Gonzalez tied the game from the penalty spot just before halftime.

Adu, who had twice been unlucky not to score in the second half, won the game for the Americans when he broke free behind the Sierra Leone defense after Jamie Watson flicked on goalie Phil Marfuggi's punt. Adu, who twice drew what appeared to be penalties earlier in the game, rounded goalie Patrick Bantamoi with his patented burst to the left and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net.

Marfuggi kept the Americans in the game with 10 saves. In the 78th minute, the Americans were spared when substitute Sheriff Suma hit the crossbar.

The Americans (2-0-0, 6 pts) face Spain (1-1-0, 4 pts) Wednesday in a match that will decide the Group D title. Spain remained in contention with a 3-2 win over South Korea that eliminated the losing team.

A win or tie will give the Americans the Group D title. The Group D winner meets the Group C runner-up in the quarterfinals Aug. 24. The Group D runner-up faces the Group C winner in the final eight. Brazil leads Group C after crushing Portugal, 4-0, Sunday.

Argentina is the only team besides the United States with two wins in two games.

USA-SIERRA LEONE SUMMARY:

Aug. 17 in Lahti

USA 2 Sierra Leone 1. Goals: Gonzalez pen. 45, Adu 89; A.Sesay 32.

USA — Marfuggi, Owens, Spector, Curfman (Helton, 76), DiRaimondo, Ashe, Szetela, Gonzalez (Grazier, 70 ), Gaven, Watson, Adu (Chevannes, 90).

Sierra Leone — Bantamoi, Taylor (Koroma, 33), Umara Bangura, H.Sesay, M.Kamara, A.Sesay, Barlay, Metzger, Bayoh (Samba, 74), Tahini (Suma, 58), Jalloh.

Yellow cards: USA — Ashe 73, Adu 84; Sierra Leone — Bayoh 37, Metzger 38, H.Sesay 85.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).

Att.: 4,950.