England beats U.S. 2-0 in friendly match, marking Beckham's 101st cap

England's 2-0 victory before a non-sellout crowd of 71,223 might just stick in memory because of the first goal, at 38 minutes, on which David Beckham assisted and John Terry scored.

Beckham's presence today marked his 101st cap for the England team, and he also got a pre-game salute for his 100th (secured in Paris in March), and one of his trademarks resurfaced when he directed a free kick toward the wall in front of the U.S. goal, just as England started to heat up after a tepid start.

That it led to a goal might've been enough to suit the fans still hoping to see him at 33, but that it led to a goal by Terry qualified as near-poignancy for a friendly. Just seven nights earlier in Moscow, Terry shanked a penalty kick that would've won the European Champions League for his club, Chelsea.

This time, Terry darted toward the wall unmarked and used the left side of his skull to crack one that bounded to the left of U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the net. Thereafter, Terry, named captain for the match by first-year England Manager Fabio Capello, found his way toward Beckham near midfield for a tight embrace.

The American team forged few lamented chances, but one of their England-based players, Eddie Johnson, made mild trouble on the right and Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan made two capable saves after spelling Howard at half-time. Guzan also thwarted Jermaine Defoe, the Portsmouth, England, striker who'd troubled the United States all evening. But Guzan could do nothing in the 59th minute with a loose Steven Gerrard, who expertly slotted a shot to Guzan's right and into the corner for England's second goal.

As for the U.S. team, it plunges into a spate of high-brow international competition; it goes from here to Spain on June 4, then to New York to play Argentina on June 8.

chuck.culpepper@latimes.com