ALBUFEIRA, Portugal — The United States routed China 4-0 today at the Algarve Cup, and Denmark upset Women's World Cup champion Germany 1-0 on the opening day of the tournament.

The five-time champion Americans got goals from Lindsay Tarpley, Tobin Heath, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd in Group B.

Natasha Kai, a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum, got the assist on Lloyd's goal in the 71st minute. Kai entered the game as a substitute.

"I'm very happy with the way we played," United States coach Pia Sundhage said. "Four goals is fun."

Tarpley put the United States in the lead in the fifth minute with a close-range volley. Heath, at 19 the youngest player on the team, came on at halftime and scored two minutes later with a chip over the goalkeeper for her first international goal.

Wambach then scored her 87th international goal in the 64th, and Lloyd sent a shot into the top left corner. Lloyd took a short pass from Kai and dribbled past three defenders before blasting her shot from 13 yards out.

Sundhage said the Algarve Cup would be a good rehearsal for the Beijing Olympics.

"Women's soccer has become too predictable," Sundhage said. "We like to use all our midfielders and attack in many different ways."

Merit Petersen scored the only goal for Denmark in the 46th minute in the Group A match.

Silke Rottenberg, who was passed over in favor of Nadine Angerer at last year's World Cup in China, played in goal for Germany.

Last year, the Germans, who are also European champions, beat Denmark 4-0 in an exhibition.

Later Wednesday, Finland was playing Sweden in Group A and Norway was playing Italy in Group B.

The winners of Groups A and B will meet in the final next Wednesday.

In Group C, Iceland defeated Poland 2-0. Portugal was playing Ireland later Wednesday.