It's a semifinal spot for the USA Men's 7s team in Las Vegas, as the Eagles held off England 17-12 in a fractious quarterfinal Saturday night.

The Eagles use their physicality to commit England to the interior, and despite some penalties at ruck time, managed to suck in enough defenders to leave Perry Baker completely unmarked for one of the easier tries he will score. A long pass from Folau Niua allowed Baker to just walk over from a few meters out.

Baker added a highlight-reel try that sliced through the England defense for another try in the first half.

But the second half was a bit more of a battle as once again the penalties caused the Eagles some issues. Baker, however, capped off a nice movement, and then it was just a case of holding on. 

Dan Norton kicked ahead when he spotted now USA sweeper, and seemed set to win the race against the slower Ben Pinkelman. But a rugby ball is a funny shape and bounced backward right into Pinkelman's hands, and the captain trundled up to help his team get going.

"Nine times out of ten he's going to pick that up ...  I got a lucky bounce," said Pinkelman.

Kevon Williams then iced it with a run to the corner that didn't result in a try, but ended the game nonetheless. Danny Barrett was excellent in this game, while Fulau Niua, Williams, and Maka Unufe made key contributions.

The game ended with a bit of a donnybrook between the USA and England players. Asked about it later, Baker dismissed it as a moment of passion.

"It's a game of rugby, man," he said.

So the Eagles face Fiji in the semis, a team they have defeated several times before. That game will be at 1:12pm Pacific Time, with the Cup Final at 4:30 (the Bronze match will be at 4pm).

Argentina beat Kenya, which helps the USA get some distance between themselves and the teams chasing the Eagles in the World Series standings.