USA, currently ranked 10th in the world, surged to an early two-goal lead through penalty corner conversions by Paige Selenski (third minute) and Kelsey Kolojejchick (15th) and England could do no better than reduce the margin in the second session.
The lone goal for world no. 3 England came from the sticks of captain Kate Walsh, who slammed home a penalty corner in the 56th minute.
USA had failed to feature in the 12-team World Cup in 2010 where England got a bronze.
In another match, 2008 Olympic bronze medalists China held European rivals Germany to a 1-1 draw in another Group B match.
Germany opened the scoring through Hannah Kruger in the 60th minute through a penalty corner, only to see Peng Yang equalise for China with a field goal within a minute.
