NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jozy Altidore made the most of his chance.

After sitting on the bench for European clubs during most of the season, the 19-year-old became the youngest American with an international hat trick, leading the United States over Trinidad and Tobago, 3-0, in a World Cup qualifier last night.

He was acquired by Spain's Villarreal from Major League Soccer's Red Bulls last June, scored one goal in six matches and then was loaned in January to second division Xerez.

"Anywhere you go, I think you have to learn that you have to earn it from Day One, and it's a tough lesson, I think, for a lot of young players to learn, including myself," he said. "I think I'm finally understanding what's needed to be successful there. It's a work in progress. It's not going to happen overnight."

Making just his fourth international start, Altidore connected in the 13th, 71st and 89th minutes, all three times off passes from Landon Donovan. He also scored as a substitute in the 77th minute last Saturday to start the U.S. comeback from a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 tie at El Salvador.

"He's a player that, you know, we have known for a while is going to be a big part of our team going forward, but things need to be earned. Things need to come at the right time," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

Altidore eclipsed the mark for youngest hat trick set in 2004, when 20-year-old Eddie Johnson scored three times as a substitute in a 6-0 win over Panama in the semifinals of qualifying.

Teammates praised Altidore, but made clear he's just starting out.

"It's one game, so let's not get carried away," Donovan said. "We're happy for him, but there's a lot of guys that have been doing that for a long time."

The United States (2-0-1), seeking its sixth straight World Cup berth, leads the final round of North and Central American and Caribbean qualifying with seven points, followed by Costa Rica (2-1) with six after a 1-0 victory over El Salvador. Honduras (1-1-1) has four following a 3-1 win over visiting Mexico (1-2), which has three. El Salvador and T&T (both 0-1-2) have two points each.

The top three nations qualify, and No. 4 goes to a playoff.

Bradley made four lineup changes, inserting Altidore, goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and defender Oguchi Onyewu. He dropped DaMarcus Beasley from midfield to defender in place of Heath Pearce.

Altidore was paired up front with Kamehameha alum Brian Ching. Donovan (left) and Clint Dempsey (right) were in advanced midfield roles.