Germany, which lost, 2-0, to South Korea in its opening game, scored three second-half goals within 16 minutes to down the United States, 3-1 Dec. 2 in the World Youth Championship.
The Americans, who beat Paraguay, 3-1, in their opener, are in a four-way tie on three points in Group F. The Koreans, whom the Americans meet on Friday, have the best goal difference (plus 1).
The top two finishers and the four best third-place finishers from the six groups advance to the second round.
The Germans took the lead in the 47th minute when Robert Huth headed over Steve Cronin from 12 yards out after the American keeper left his goal in a futile attempt to beat Huth to the ball.
Piotr Trochowski scored from the edge of the penalty area in the 60th minute and Sebastian Kneissl scored from 12 yards in the 63rd minute.
Coach Thomas Rongen replaced Mike Magee with Freddy Adu in the 73rd minute. Four minutes later Adu was fouled to set up a free kick on the flank. Bobby Convey's low pass across the goalmouth found an unmarked Zak Whitbread, who redirected the ball into the net.
Adu, who made several promising forays, had a shot cleared off the line by defender Benjamin Wingerter with time running out.
GERMANY-USA SUMMARY
Dec. 1 in Abu Dhabi
Germany 3 USA 1 Goals: Huth 47, Trochowski 60, Kneissel 63; Whitbread 77.
Germany — Walke, Lell (Ludwig, 46), Meyer (Milchraum, 46), Huth, Wingerter, Fathi (Rundio, 72), Trochowski, Schulz, Masmanidis, Lehmann, Kneissl.
USA — Cronin, Whitbread, Marshall, Cochrane, Klass (Grabavoy, 65), Mapp, Convey, Clark, Quaranta (Johnson, 87), Johnson, Magee (Adu, 73).
Referee: Wilson Souza (BRA)