Colombia 2-3 England
Michael Owen's hat-trick helped England round off their American tour with a hard-fought win against Colombia.
Owen steered home from close range after 35 minutes, then took advantage of a pass from debutant Peter Crouch to add a second nine minutes later.
Goalkeeper David James gifted Mario Yepes a headed goal on the stroke of half-time before Owen steered home David Beckham's cross after 58 minutes.
Aldo Ramirez scored a second for Colombia late on, but England held on.
It was a personal triumph for Owen, who equalled the 30 goals scored by Sir Tom Finney, Alan Shearer and Nat Lofthouse with his first goal and surpassed them with his second.
Only Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker and 49-goal record holder Sir Bobby Charlton stand in front of the Real Madrid foward now.
More England reaction
England had an opportunity inside the first minute when Joe Cole cut inside, but the finish was high and disappointing from 18 yards.
Colombia had attacking ideas of their own, with Gabriel Rey driving at the heart of England's defence only to see his effort turned away by James.
England took the lead after 35 minutes, courtesy of a trademark finish by Owen, who chipped over the advancing Farid Mondragon from Cole's clever pass.
And they doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, when Beckham found Crouch, even though the England captain appeared to be cynically elbowed from behind by John Restrepo.
Crouch played in Owen, who scored easily to take his England tally to 31 goals and put his name fourth in the all-time list.
But there was still time for England to concede a bitterly disappointing goal before the interval, with a tame header from Yepes trickling past James and Ashley Cole on the line.
It was James' final contribution on a poor American tour for the Manchester City keeper as Eriksson gave a debut to Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green after the break.
Owen completed his hat-trick after 58 minutes, finishing neatly at the near post from an inviting Beckham cross.
The Real Madrid striker was almost in for his fourth two minutes later, but he was unable to beat Mondragon from Cole's pass as he advanced into the area.
Rey was a lively figure for Colombia, and he almost threw them a lifeline with a shot from the edge of the area that struck the bar and was clutched on the line by Green.
Colombia continued to pose a threat, and it was no surprise when they pulled a goal back with 12 minutes left, Ramirez firing low past Green at the near post with the aid of a slight deflection.
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Colombia: Mondragon, Benitez, Palacio (Diaz 72), Yepes (Mendoza 80), Restrepo (A Ramirez 72), Viafara (Anchico 59), Soto, Rey, Hurtado (Vargas 46), Angel (Edixon Perea 59), Luis Amaranto Perea.
Subs Not Used: Calero, Cordoba, Juan Ramirez.
Booked: Yepes.
Goals: Yepes 45, A Ramirez 78.
England: James (Green 46), Glen Johnson, Neville, Knight, Ashley Cole, Beckham (Richardson 73), Jenas, Carrick, Joe Cole (Young 86), Crouch (Defoe 72), Owen (Smith 73).
Subs Not Used: Carson, Campbell, Brown, Andrew Johnson.
Goals: Owen 36, 42, 58.
Att: 58,000
Ref: B Hall (USA).
England's American dream or nightmare?
England's dessert to a hard domestic season was a slice of American pie, but did it go down well or leave a nasty taste in the mouth?
The Football Association's decision to embark on the two-game mini-tour was pilloried as unnecessary, ill-conceived and frivolous in many quarters.
BBC Sport ponders whether England struck out, or whether their brief trip across the Atlantic turned into a home run.
POSITIVES
The winning habit
There is no such thing as a bad victory.
Winning is a good habit, and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be more than happy that England have tucked another couple of victories under the belt ahead of the Autumn World Cup qualifiers.
Eriksson joy at Richardson debut
Some pundits have derided the opposition but it was not exactly minnow status. The USA are ranked 10th in the world and Colombia are World Cup regulars.
Fringe benefits
England were without some of their top stars, such as Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, because their clubs were reluctant to let them go at the end of a busy season and ahead of a World Cup year.
But that gave Eriksson the chance to look at players he might not otherwise have been given scope to look at in England's crowded schedule.
The likes of Kieran Richardson, Peter Crouch and Zat Knight all got an unexpected taste, and gave Eriksson food for thought.
Tactical tweaks
Although Eriksson is a confirmed devotee of 4-4-2, the performance of players such as Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick indicated he could adapt if needs be.
Playing the disciplined Carrick in the holding role in front of the defence could allow him to accommodate Frank Lampard and Gerrard as well in a central midfield trio.
Richardson certainly proved a hit
That could provide scope to use all three of England's world-class central defenders - Ferdinand, John Terry and Sol Campbell - in a fluid 3-5-2 formation.
England's last World Cup exit at the hands of Brazil triggered criticism that Eriksson wears a tactical straitjacket, with no back-up if Plan A fails.
This tour might have given him the blueprints to Plans B, C and D.
Need to go
Some questioned the need for the tour, but if England are to mount a serious attempt on the World Cup, Eriksson must be given every chance to get his squad together.
Ideally, he would have had more front-line players to choose from, but equally he does need to know which fringe players can cut it at international level.
NEGATIVES
Timing
In the crowded football calendar, there is hardly a good time to stage an overseas England tour.
Clubs get sniffy enough about internatonal friendlies, but in the immediate aftermath of a long, tiring season it is inevitable that clubs will be looking to give their players as much rest as possible before pre-season starts in July.
Need to go
Just how necessary was it for England to go to the USA to play two friendlies that were pretty meaningless in the big scheme of things?
Was it to fly the England flag? Were there corporate sponsors to placate and please?
Surely England still carry enough clout in world football that they can attract good opposition to these shores and save the need to travel?
Withdrawal symptoms
It is almost traditional for English clubs to treat end-of-season tours with derision and pull players out on cigarette-paper thin excuses.
Eriksson has plenty to chew over
But what sort of message is sent out when even the USA decides it is not worth issuing a three-line whip to some of their top European-based players?
USA Reserves v England Reserves does little to enhance the game's reputation.
And when was the last time an England international match was seen as a warm-up to a Major League Soccer game?
Senior moments
For all that the no-show of the regulars gave the understudies a chance, ideal preparation for vital World Cup qualifiers would involve the best team playing together as much as possible.
Eriksson still does not know, for example, if he could play Terry, Campbell and Ferdinand together, or whether he could string five across the middle.
Cowboy capers
It could be a plus point, but Eriksson had it confirmed that David James is not up to the task of England's number one.
And Glen Johnson will not be posing much of a challenge to Terry, Campbell and Ferdinand for a central defensive berth after shaky performances in that position in the States.
VERDICT
The cons are many. Ill-timed, devalued by withdrawals and cheapened by apathy, England's trip to the USA looked as joyous a trip across the Atlantic as the Pilgrim Fathers'.
But there were more pros.
The unearthing of gems like Richardson, the blooding of fringe players like Crouch and Knight, the emergence of Michael Carrick and the hint of tactical alternatives all add up.
England's short-trip to the USA must therefore be considered a success.
Upbeat Eriksson eyes 2006 glory
Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England are in excellent shape to mount a challenge for the World Cup next year.
Eriksson has just seen an experimental squad win both games on their tour of the US, and says he now has more options as he prepares for Germany.
"With a year to go, and if we don't have any injuries, things look very good," said the Swede.
"I've never had a squad so strong, and I am very, very confident in the players."
The England coach is delighted that youngsters such as Michael Carrick, Peter Crouch and Kieran Richardson have used the mini-tour to push their international claims.
"I can now see more players challenging for a place," said Eriksson. "That's why this tour was so important for us.
"In a way it has created more problems for me in terms of selection but they are very good problems to have.
"I have not seen Carrick for a long time and he has done well. He gives me a realistic midfield alternative because he sits in there, is very good on the ball and has a very good passing range.
"Richardson was fantastic in his first game (scoring twice). I liked what I saw from Peter Crouch. Luke Young came on twice and did well, and Zat Knight was fantastic."
England currently lead their World Cup qualifying group by a point from Poland with four matches left and are in great form.
"My impression is that we are getting stronger and stronger and if we have everyone fit we can give it a real go next summer," said Eriksson.
