Ranked three places below USA (10th) in the FIH rankings, India were the better side on display for most part of the match, but were undone by poor ball control and finishing.
Poor penalty corner conversion also did not help India's cause as they wasted as many as four set pieces at Harbour Hockey Stadium.
Deepika gave India the lead in the 27th minute but Katie O'Donnell (66th) spoilt their party by scoring the equaliser for USA just four minutes from the hooter.
India will next play Australia on Sunday in their last round-robin league match in the first phase of the tournament.