After a scoreless first half, The US National Team netted three goals in the first quarter hour after intermission to earn a Women's World Cup semifinal date with the Australia/Brazil winner by topping England 3-0 on Saturday in Tianjin, China.

An even opening period provided few chances to go around, but the favored Lady 'Nats took command after halftime.

In the 15th minute, the US nearly broke on top when a Stephanie Lopez cross was cleared poorly by Faye White. The ball caromed just wide off of Kristine Lilly.

England's Kate Chapman nodded a Karen Carney serve wide on 31 minutes and Lilly buzzed s hot just off frame on the edge of halftime.

Three minutes into the second half, Abby Wambach put the Americans ahead by bulling her way towards the far post to powerfully head home Lilly's corner kick.

It was the #20 shirt's fourth goal of the tourney, placing her one behind Golden Boot leader Ragnhild Gulbrandsen of Norway.

Nine minutes later, Shannon Boxx picked Jill Scott's pocket above the England area and promptly lashed a 20-meter shot past Rachel Brown with her left foot.

The final nail came a moment later when Brown couldn't handle Cat Whitehill's high bouncing long ball and Lilly was able to walk in casually to open her 2007 World Cup account.

The US then bossed the game until the final whistle, setting up a Thursday semifinal clash in Hangzhou.

Scoring
USA - Abby Wambach 4 (Kristine Lilly) 48'
USA - Shannon Boxx 1 57'
USA - Kristine Lilly 1 60'

Line-ups
USA - Hope Solo; Christie Rampone, Kate Markgraf, Cat Whitehill, Stephanie Lopez, Leslie Osborne, Lori Chalupny, Shannon Boxx, Heather O’Reilly, Abby Wambach (Natasha Kai 86'), Kristine Lilly

ENG - Rachel Brown; Alex Scott, Casey Stoney, Katie Chapman, Faye White, Mary Phillip (Lianne Sanderson 81'), Karen Carney, Eniola Aluko (Rachel Yankey 46'), Kelly Smith, Anita Asante, Jill Scott