The United States got off to a terrific start at the first FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, using three goals near the end of the first half to score a 5-1 romp over England in Saturday's tournament opener in Victoria, British Columbia.

University of Texas striker Kelly Wilson netted two goals and New Jersey high-schooler Heather O'Reilly scored one and assisted on three others for the Americans, who meet Australia — a 5-1 winner over Chinese Taipei — in their second Group C match on Monday.

O'Reilly beat English defenders in the 37th and 39th minutes to set up the first two U.S. goals, scored by North Carolina's Lindsay Tarpley and Santa Clara's Leslie Osborne. O'Reilly took a Wilson pass up the right wing, then cut the ball back to Tarpley to break the deadlock, then did likewise to feed Osborne after receiving a superb pass from North Carolina's Kendall Fletcher.

O'Reilly made it 3-0 in the 44th off a nice sequence involving Arizona State's Manya Makoski — who beat three defenders off the dribble — Tarpley and Wilson.

Katy Ward cut the deficit for England two minutes into the second half, but Wilson tallied in the 64th and 74th minutes to put the result out of doubt.

''We're really pleased with our performance,'' said U.S. coach Tracey Leone, whose squad dictated play most of the match. ''We came out with a great balance of focus and energy, which is a great statement for these young players in their first world event. We showed great composure and intensity. England had a lot of numbers behind the ball, and we had to be persistent and patient and continue to dig the game out.''

Defender Amy Steadman, bound for the University of North Carolina following the tournament, sustained a knee injury and departed the match in the 18th minute. She was to be further evaluated Saturday night.

Her replacement, Fletcher, left in the 79th minute with a bloody nose.

SATURDAY'S SUMMARY

Group C

Aug. 17 at Victoria, British Columbia

United States 5 England 1. Goals: Tarpley 37, Osborne 39, O'Reilly 44, Wilson 64, 74; Ward 47.

United States — Harris; Ballweg, Oakes, Buehler, Steadman (Fletcher, 18; Dowling, 79); Chalupny, Makoski, Osborne (Kakadelas, 63); Wilson, Tarpley, O'Reilly.

England — Wayne; Champ, Yorston, Williams (Westwood, 65), Wright; Basset, Scott (Holden, 82), McDougall; Ward, Maggs, Hickmont (Cox, 46).

Yellow cards — None.

Referee — Mayumi Oiwa (Japan). A — 2,500.

Other scores
Group C
Australia 5 (Crawford 29, 78, Neilson pen. 38, Cannuli 83, Harch 86) Chinese Taipei 1 (Lu 83).

Group B
(in Burnaby, British Columbia)
Brazil 5 (Daniela 7, 15, Tatiana 30, Kelly 60, Renata Costa 65) Mexico 3 (Rico 8, Worbis 66, Martinez 74).

Germany 2 (Mittag 40, 91+) France 0.

Sunday's games
Group A (in Edmonton): Canada vs. Denmark, Nigeria vs. Japan.