The USA is 4-0 and in to the Silicon Valley 7s semifinals after a comprehensive 24-5 defeat of Fiji on Sunday in Santa Clara, CA.

Head coach Mike Friday has been working to get the younger players on his squad game time and said that was his top priority. The quarterfinal game against Fiji showed the benefits that plan can reap.

"That's the key part for us," Friday told FloRugby. "We've got to see who can step up and be a part of the World Series. We've got to put them out there; we've got to put them under pressure."

Kevon Williams took full advantage of his early playing time, getting a nice pass from Stephen Tomasin and then burning a trail to the corner.

Moments later, the Eagles won the restart ("We are the best restart team in the world," Friday said earlier), and after a tough, physical run from Joe Schroeder, Folau Niua sent a nifty little grubber ahead for Martin Iosefo to gather and take to pay dirt.

A penalty right after the restart gave Schroeder, another newcomer, a chance as well. Schroeder won the ball during the Eagles' lineout, and after a crash run from Ben Pinkelman, the ball came back to Schroeder on the wing. The 6-5 7s prop did the rest to make it 17-0.

After that, it was about finishing off the game for the USA. Tomasin set up Iosefo for a try, and Fiji answered when Pinkelman uncharacteristically missed a tackle. But that was all Fiji could get for the rest of the way.

Pinkelman said after the game that the team's one-on-one tackles have to be on song, and he was clearly kicking himself over that error.

Also on Sunday, Australia crushed New Zealand 40-7 to also make the semis, and England defeated Samoa. Chile held off Japan 24-10 to get to the top four. 

Canada slammed Tonga 41-0 in the Bowl semis, and will meet Ireland, which beat China 38-5.

In the semifinals, the USA will play England in the semifinal, and Chile will play Australia.