ENGLAND new boy Kieran Richardson hit a stunning first-half double in this Chicago friendly.

The Manchester United rookie curled in a top-corner free-kick after just four minutes, then swept home England's flattering second goal just before the break.

Alan Smith is partnering Andy Johnson up front after a sprained ankle forced Peter Crouch to miss out on his debut for a youthful, experimental England side.


And Sol Campbell is skippering Sven's men as they take on an equally-depleted USA team ranked just four places lower in the world - at 10th.

The Yanks were generally the livelier side in a frenetic start as England surrendered possession too easily.

David James, in fact, had to rush out of his area to clear as Everton striker Brian McBride burst through the middle.

But it was James whose mighty misjudgement so nearly sparked a 20th minute leveller.

Landon Donovan swung in a routine free-kick from the left that swerved over James and off the inside of the far post.

England, though, struck back with their first move of real fluency.

Glen Johnson fed Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole for a slalom dash down the right that ended with the midfielder nipping inside for a fierce left-footer superbly tipped away by the full-stretch Keller.

Donovan drilled a gaping chance wide after dangerman Josh Wolff's cushion header opened up England's shaky defence.

But swift flicks down the right sliced the US aside as Johnson and Cole - England's top first-half performer - teed up Richardson to rifle home from 16 yards.

Mostly, though, England's handful of slick raids failed to overshadow the facts that America had most of the play and often troubled an uncertain backline.