As if scoring with almost his first touch in international football was not enough, the Manchester United winger added another goal shortly before half-time to prove it was no fluke.

It was a sensational introduction for the 20-year-old, who was only called up to the squad when Shaun Wright-Phillips withdrew last week.

Richardson was one of five players making a full England debut in the starting line-up, and he got his chance to shine within three minutes when American defender Eddie Pope fouled Andy Johnson just outside the penalty area.

Richardson and Jenas stood over the ball, but it was the United winger who took the kick, curling it with his left-foot over the defensive wall, past the despairing dive of Kasey Keller and under the crossbar.

It was a dream start for the London-born winger, who rose to prominence by helping West Brom avoid relegation when on loan at he Midlands club.

And it got even better for him two minutes before half-time when Joe Cole's unselfish through ball gave him the chance to drill a low shot past Keller and inside the post for England's second goal.

It was the stuff dreams are made of, and capped a superb first-half for Sven-Goran Eriksson's young side. Not that they had it all their own way, as the Americans also threatened to score.

David James, back in goal in place of the injured Paul Robinson, had to race out of his area to clear from Josh Wolff in the fifth minute, and then could only watch as Landon Donovan curled a free-kick past him but against the inside of the far post and away to safety.

Within a minute Joe Cole cut in from the right and curled a left-footed shot which Keller did well to turn away for a corner, and Richardson tried a spectacular flying volley, only to mis-hit the ball wide.

The United States' best chance fell to their captain, Landon Donovan, in the 37th minute, but he dragged his shot horribly wide of the far post, just as Alan Smith did at the other end moments later.

But the half ended on a high for England when Richardson ran on to Joe Cole's pass to score again, the best goalscoring performance on an England debut since Fred Pickering scored a hat-trick against the United States in 1964.

Fulham's Zat Knight entered the fray at half-time, replacing ankle injury victim Sol Campbell to make his debut, and in the 75th minute Luke Young also went on for his first cap.

Three minutes later Clint Dempsey scored to set up a nervous finale, heading in from close range after James had saved a sliding effort from Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra.

But Sven's men held their nerve to finish with a heartening 2-1 victory.

Team details:

USA: Keller, Dempsey, Pope, Gibbs, Cherundolo, Ralston, Donovan, Vanney, Zavagnin, Wolff, McBride.
Subs: Hahnemann, Berhalter, Bocanegra, Spector, Casey, Convey, Simms

England: James, G Johnson, Brown, Campbell, A Cole, J Cole, Jenas, Carrick, Richardson, A Johnson, Smith.
Subs: Green, Carson, Young, P Neville, Knight, Defoe, Crouch.

Referee: B Archundia (Mexico)

Attendance: 47,637