The U.S. Under-17 men’s youth national team recorded a 1-0 win over Canada 1-0 to finish atop Group F at the Concacaf U-17 Championship in Antigua, Guatemala on Wednesday night.

Substitute forward Keyrol Figueroa headed home the lone goal in the 65th minute, finishing off a cross from winger David Vazquez.

The USA finished (3-0-0, 9 points) as Group F winners. The USA will face the Dominican Republic in the Round of 16 on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. (Fox Soccer Plus, ViX+). Dominican Republic qualified directly to the Round of 16 via a pre-qualifying tournament.

After controlling much of the game, the U.S. gained attacking momentum as things opened up in the second half. Vazquez, active all evening on the left wing, sent a soaring a cross into the box for Figueroa in the aftermath of a corner. His glancing header from the six was perfectly placed, securing another three points for the USA.

The U.S. out-possessed Canada 67 percent to 33, but struggled early to find quality shots as the Maple Leafs defense proved tough to break down in the final third. Starting center forward Ezekiel Soto once again caused problems leading the USA’s press and created some of the U-17s’ best early looks of the evening as he pressured the Canadian goalkeeper and defense.

The U-17s had several spells of prolonged possession in Canadian territory, but didn’t fire off its first shot until the 25th, when Cruz Medina ripped one from just outside the 18 and forced goalkeeper Nathaniel Abraham to make a diving save. Vazquez teed up Soto for an opportunity just before the half, but wasn’t able to get enough of his foot on the rolling cross to challenge the ‘keeper.

While Canada threatened on a few counters, the U.S. attack started to find its footing with a few quality chances early in the second half. Vazquez nearly found the opener in the 56th as he ripped a shot over the crossbar and had another go in the 63rd.

The U.S. defense held strong down the stretch to preserve the 1-0 shutout victory. Canada’s best last-gasp effort came on a free kick just outside the box in the 84th, but Duran Ferree made a leaping save to push it over the bar.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.