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The United States national team defeated Venezuela, 1-0, on Saturday night on a dramatic stoppage-time header by Ricardo Clark. Jurgen Klinsmann now has his first winning streak as U.S. coach, and the team can head to Panama with a bit of confidence and a sense of satisfaction.

Despite the team accomplishment — the victory — the individuals on the squad cannot be blamed for wondering how each of their performances was received. That’s because Klinsmann made it abundantly clear that the group he assembled for these two exhibitions is the American B team. He also challenged these players to make a strong impression.

“This is a very important opportunity for these players; they are the next in line behind the established players, and this is a chance to prove themselves,” Klinsmann said. “I’m very curious and excited to see this group.”

The game featured the national team debuts of A.J. DeLaGarza, Bill Hamid, C.J. Sapong and Graham Zusi, but it was the veterans on the squad – most notably Jermaine Jones – who had the biggest impact on the U.S. victory.

Here is a look at how the individual players performed. The ratings (on a scale of 1, diabolical; to 10, world class):

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Starters

Bill Hamid: The 21-year-old D.C. United keeper has been stuck on the bench behind Tim Howard since Klinsmann took over, and Saturday night he got his first taste of national team action. Hamid enjoyed an easy debut — and a clean sheet — against a lackluster Venezuelan side that seemed clueless in attack. He did make a decisive, aggressive move to punch out a dangerous ball in the 34th minute, but that sequence aside he did not have much to do. Rating: 6

A.J. DeLaGarza: Playing at right back rather than his preferred central position, the diminutive Los Angeles Galaxy defender closed down his side of the field effectively but seemed very tentative in the attacking half. On several occasions DeLaGarza was positioned to send in a cross or make a run, but he hesitated and the moments were lost. An inauspicious first cap. Rating: 4.5

Michael Parkhurst: Given the ineptitude of the Venezuelan attack, it’s hard to grade Parkhurst and his central defense partner, Geoff Cameron. While it’s true that the U.S. kept a clean sheet and its goal was never really threatened, it’s also worth noting that the Americans thoroughly dominated the midfield, leaving the back line with little to do. Hopefully Panama will provide a tougher challenge. Rating: 6



Geoff Cameron: See above. Rating: 6



Heath Pearce: Like his colleagues along the back line, Pearce wasn’t asked to do much on the defensive side of the ball, which makes it all the more disappointing that he accomplished so little going forward. He did lead a break in the 25th minute but his errant pass squandered the chance. Rating: 4.5



Jeff Larentowicz: The Colorado Rapids midfielder played Clark Kent to Jermaine Jones’s Superman. He was cautious, careful and reserved during his hour or so on the field, which made a lot of sense when you consider that Jones was stopping bullets and moving faster than a steaming locomotive. Rating: 5

Jermaine Jones: Klinsmann gave Jones the captain’s armband, and the Schalke midfielder responded with his best effort to date for the national team. Jones is only with the national team because the German federation suspended him for eight games for stomping on an opponent’s leg. If Saturday night’s performance is any indication, the 30-year-old Jones is using the time off to his advantage. He absolutely owned the midfield – creating chances, delivering smart passes to the wings and into the box, and even breaking up the occasional Venezuelan counter. (He also covered up his own mistakes, tracking back to make sure Venezuela did not take advantage of any loose passes.) In an interesting twist that could pay dividends with the A team, Jones also delivered four corner kicks – all of them dangerous — after Graham Zusi left the game. The last of these corners found Ricardo Clark alone in the box, and gave the U.S. the victory. Rating: 8





Graham Zusi: Zusi’s national team debut did not go as well as he would have liked. The 25-year-old looked a bit sloppy on the ball and struggled to deliver quality crosses – both on corners and during the run of play. The U.S. has a crowded midfield, and Zusi will have to do a lot better if he plans to force his way onto the A list. Rating: 4.



Benny Feilhaber: A typically tantalizing performance for Feilhaber. Nobody can question his technical ability and vision, but Feilhaber lacks the cutting edge and consistency one expects at the international level. In one beautiful sequence he delivered a perfectly weighted pass behind the Venezuelan defense that rolled straight to the feet of Brek Shea (who shot just wide). A short while later, however, Feilhaber had a clear chance on goal and wasted the chance. Rather than take a clear shot, he just lofted the ball into no-man’s land and let the opportunity get away. Also worrisome: Feilhaber is still pushed off the ball far too easily. He was dispossessed several time, a recurring theme in his international career. Rating: 5.5

Brek Shea: The wiry winger got off to a sluggish start but nearly scored in the 20th minute off a Feilhaber pass that sent him in on goal. Three minutes later Shea almost struck again when he headed a Zusi free kick toward the far corner of the goal. But Venezuela goalkeeper Jose Morales made the first of several sparkling saves and kept Shea off the score sheet. The 21-year-old Texan showed flashes of brilliance – he was clearly one of the most talented players on the field — but also disappeared for long stretches. Rating: 6

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Teal Bunbury: Bunbury got off to a good start, making aggressive, proactive runs despite playing as a lone striker for the first hour. His long-range shot in the 19th minute was perhaps too ambitious and sailed over the goal, but B team friendlies are the perfect games to demonstrate your ambition. As the game progressed, Bunbury seemed to tire and lose his edge, and he scuffed a great chance toward the end with a poor left-footed effort. It would have been nice to see him alongside another striker when he still had some spring in his step; maybe he will get that chance against Panama on Wednesday. Rating: 5.5

Substitutes

Chris Wondolowski: Wondolowski came on in the 62nd minute and quickly worked his way into good scoring positions. Ten minutes after coming on he made a nifty move on a deflected header and struck a quick half volley that Morales managed to stop. Wondolowski also delivered a pair of good headers in the final 10 minutes: the first went just wide and the second was parried away by Morales. Even though he didn’t score, it was a very strong showing: Rating 7

Ricardo Clark: Clark accomplished very little during his half hour on the field … until a Jermaine Jones cross found him totally unmarked in front of goal. To his credit, Clark rose and nodded the cross past Morales and gave the U.S. a deserved victory. Rating: 5

Zach Loyd: Loyd came on in the 74th minute and delivered a fantastic cross to Wondolowski that woulda-coulda-shoulda put the U.S. in front but Morales made a brilliant stop. Rating: 6

C.J. Sapong: Sapong brought a welcome burst of energy but didn’t achieve much. His first cap will be remembered mostly for being, well, his first cap. Rating: 5

Brad Evans: Came on in the 88th minute. Rating: Incomplete

Corner Kick: What did you think of the game and our player ratings? Share your thoughts in the comments.

John Godfrey obsessively tracks the progress of American soccer players and is a regular contributor to the Goal blog. He also comments about soccer constantly on Twitter.