The United States took its first step toward returning to the Under-17 World Cup for a record 10th straight time with a 3-0 win over Jamaica Wednesday in the CONCACAF Group A qualifying tournament in Guatemala City.

Freddy Adu, the 13-year-old phenom, had a goal and an assist in his international debut for the United States, which extended its unbeaten streak in qualifying to 11 games, dating back to 1996.

The Americans face El Salvador on Friday (7 p.m. ET), before concluding play against Guatemala on Sunday (2 p.m. ET). Guatemala and El Salvador fought to a 2-2 draw Wednesday. If the Americans beat El Salvador and Jamaica ties Guatemala, John Ellinger's boys will clinch the Group A title and a berth in this summer's world championships. The Group A runner-up meets the CONCACAF Group B second-place team in a playoff.

''It's great anytime you come out of the first match with three points,'' said U.S. coach John Elllinger. ''We did some things well today, and we also have some areas where we can definitely improve. But the bottom line is we knew coming here that three wins would allow us to qualify, and tonight we put ourselves one step closer to Finland.''

Corey Ashe opened the scoring for the U.S. in the 5th minute. John DiRaimondo headed home a Guillermo Gonzalez cross to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead at half. Adu wrapped up the game with a brilliant individual goal in second-half stoppage time. Jamaica played the last 22 minutes with 10 men after Andrew Fraser was shown his second caution of the match.

Adu was involved in all three goals. His cross set up Ashe, a constant threat, for the first goal. Memo Gonzalez served up DiRaimondo for the second goal after Adu's short corner. On his goal, Adu raced into the penalty box all alone after collecting goalie Phil Marfuggi's punt, was forced wide by Jamaican keeper Kerr Duwayne, then doubled back to the center of the penalty area, where he beat three Jamaican defenders before scoring from 12 yards out.

''I was nervous going into the game, playing my first international game that really meant something,'' said Adu. ''But once the game got going, I just started playing and I settled into my normal game. I thought overall we played well, especially our defense. We shut them down, they didn't really create any dangerous chances.''

USA-JAMAICA U-17 SUMMARY:

March 5 in Guatemala City

USA 3 Jamaica 0. Goals: Ashe 5, DiRaimondo 37, Adu 92+.

USA — Marfuggi, Helton, Spector, Owens, Chevannes, Grazier, Ashe, Gonzalez (Szetela, 79), DiRaimondo, Adu, Gaven (Watson, 84).

Jamaica — Duwayne, Fraser, Kentish, Benbow, Moodie, Cousins, Munroe, Giveans, Hall (Bayliss, 79), Morrissey (Cunningham, 74), Ximinies (Donovan, 74).

Yellow cards — USA — Adu 80, DiRaimondo 91+; Jamaica — Fraser 10, Fraser 58.

Red card: Jamaica — Fraser 58.