United States were frustrated for much of the first half against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but a strike late in the first half from World Cup talisman Folarin Balogun put them on course for the last 16.
Co-hosts USA are looking to win a knockout game for the first time since their run to the quarter-finals in 2002, but struggled to find a way through a well-organised Bosnia defence.
Balogun had the ball in the net in the 31st minute when he coolly found the bottom-right corner, only for his goal to be correctly ruled out for offside.
But the Monaco forward would not be denied 14 minutes later as Mallik Tillmanās pass deflected into the path of Balogun, who calmly slotted in his third goal of the tournament.
He could have had his fourth in stoppage time, however, Balogun could only hit the crossbar from point-blank range following Serginio Destās nod down.
