Freddy Adu scored a hat trick as the USA launched its U-17 World Cup campaign with a 6-1 rout over South Korea Aug. 14 in Lahti, Finland.

The Americans fell behind in the 11th minute when U.S. defender Dwight Owens chested an innocuous Korean cross into his own net, keeper Phil Marfuggi having abandoned his goal in hopes of snatching the cross.

But six minutes later Adu showed why he has become the most celebrated teen-ager in U.S. soccer history.

Latching on to a header from midfielder Danny Szetela near the center circle and facing his own goal, Adu spun around the Korean marker who had been on his back and exploded on a run toward the Korean goal. With four defenders converging on him, Adu faked going wide, then exploded through the middle, gliding between the two nearest foes and sprinting away from the others. Upon entering the penalty area he side-stepped Korean keeper Cha Ki Seok before slotting into the empty net.

''I was actually looking around for someone to pass to,'' Adu said. ''No one was around, so I just decided to go for it.''

In the 26th minute, Owens redeemed himself, scoring on a low shot from seven yards. The ball had come to him after a Korean cleared a U.S. header off Corey Ashe's corner kick.

Jaime Watson made it 3-1 early in the second half, beating Cha on a one-on-one after receiving a flicked pass from Adu.

Steven Curfman chipped Cha with a 30-yard lob from near the right flank for the fourth U.S. goal.

In the 89th minute, Adu received a pass from Watson just inside the penalty area. He zig-zagged on a few touches to scatter two Korean defenders and slammed a low shot in from 14 yards. Adu completed the hat trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time after a foul on Eddie Gaven. Adu's penalty kick nicked the inside of the post on the way in.

In the other Group D match, Spain tied Sierra Leone, 3-3, giving the USA sole command of first place.

Aug. 14 in Lahti, Finland

USA 6 South Korea 1. Goals: Adu 16, 89, 92+ pen, Owens 26, Watson 54, Curfman 75; own goal (Owens) 11.

USA — Marfuggi, Owens, Spector, Curfman, Diraimondo, Szetela, Gonzalez (Grazier, 75), Ashe (Germani, 66), Adu, Watson.

South Korea — Cha, Kang, Lee Sang Hup, Baek, Shin Young Chol, Yang, Han (An Sang Hyun, 29 ), Lee Yong Rae, Lee Sang Yong, Shin Young Rok (Ou Kyoung Jun, 68 ), Lee Gang Jin (Hwang Kyu Hawn, 63).

Yellow cards: USA — Szetela 56, Spector 68, Adu 88; South Korea — Lee Gang Jin 48, Kang 64.

Referee: Maillet (SEY)

Att.: 3,240.