by Ives Galarcep, FOX Soccer

The US men’s national team came away from Wednesday night’s friendly against Panama with a victory on the road - a victory that came despite being a man down. Still, there weren’t many positives to take away from the second 1-0 victory of the week.

Panama created more chances, and played the better soccer, but some heroics from Nick Rimando coupled with some atrocious finishing from Panamanian Blas Perez allowed the Americans to escape Panama with a victory.

No, neither of this week’s games were aesthetically pleasing, or thoroughly impressive performances, but that doesn’t mean the exercises were a waste of time. We learned quite a bit about the pool of national team newcomers. Some looked ready for larger roles, and longer looks, while others looked like they weren’t ready for primetime, or at least not ready to graduate to the full senior national team.

Jermaine Jones standing out as the best player in this camp wasn’t really much of a surprise, but tonight we saw some players struggle who were expected to shine, and at least one player recover with a good night after struggling last Saturday against Venezuela.

Here is a closer look at how the U.S. national team’s players performed in Wednesday night’s 1-0 win against Panama:

Made several outstanding saves and toughed his way through an injury that forced him to leave the match at halftime. Won’t be his last call-up under Klinsmann.

Rating: 7

Was a far cry from the solid presence he was against Venezuela. Panama’s speed on the flanks and combination passing left him chasing his tail for much of the match.

Rating: 4

A forgettable night after playing so well last Saturday, Cameron faced a tough red card call that ended his night early. He was beaten a few times, and had trouble with Panama’s forwards at times, but started the match well is still a player Klinsmann will want to bring in again down the road.

Rating: 4

Was better in the first half, but things slowly began to crumble for the normally reliable centerback. His lack of size and athleticism left him tough spots a few times.

Rating: 4

Things started so promisingly when he delivered the cross that eventually fell to Graham Zusi for the winning goal, but everything else was terrible as Panamanian attackers beat him repeatedly and left him looking like a good bet for a red card before being yanked before halftime by Klinsmann.

Rating: 4

The storybook finish from Saturday seemed a world away on Wednesday as Clark looked unsure and tentative chasing around Panama’s midfielders. It wasn’t the kind of game that will help him climb up the stacked list of central midfielders.

Rating: 4.5

Another strong night for Jones, who emerged as the class of this US group (not really a surprise given his pedigree). He still let some turnovers and clumsy fouls tarnish his performance, but he still made a stronger case for more playing time with the full national team than anyone else on this team.

Rating: 6

Deployed on the right flank (out of position) again, Zusi found himself in the right place at the right time on his goal, but he still didn’t make the kind of impact that would earn him a longer look.

Rating: 6

The wait to see Shea return to his summer of 2011 form continues as he followed up an active but uneven game against Venezuela with a forgettable night in Panama. He contributed some defensive work, but the dangerous winger who was supposed to be knocking on the door of a starting national team job was absent.

Rating: 4.5

A player who always finds chances, Wondolowski was a victim of an outstanding goalkeeper save for the second straight match. The US midfield didn’t give him much to work with.

Rating: 5

Save for one shot early in the second half, Bunbury was a ghost, following up a weak effort against Venezuela with another stinker. His touch was terrible and he just didn’t create many problems for Panama. All that said, he does leave you wondering how he would fare playing in front of a better midfield.

Rating: 3.5

Came in to provide some defensive stability and did his job, though it is probably the last time we will see him on the national team for a long time.

Rating: 5

One of the few players who improved on their Venezuela performance, Pearce came on before halftime for the struggling Loyd and shut down the left flank forays by Panama. He was effective enough to force the home side to focus their attacks on the opposite flank. Expect Pearce to get more looks at left back.

Rating: 5.5

A poised effort from the young goalkeeper, Johnson didn’t have any tough saves to make, but he aggressively attacked dangerous balls into the area. Didn’t do anything to push himself ahead of Bill Hamid in the pecking order, but it was a steady showing.

Rating: 5.5

Came in and provide a more stabilizing force to keep Panama from attacking through the middle of the field. A second solid game for the Colorado midfielder, though probably not enough to really climb the national team depth chart.

Rating: 5

Came in to hold the ball up and try to help the USA keep possession and he did just that. Showed strength on the ball, and confidence, leaving you to wonder if he shouldn’t have gotten more playing time in these friendlies.

Rating: 5.5

Was on the field for Panama’s handful of chances later in the match, and nearly cost his team the victory with a late-game blunder, but Parke did better than might be expected for someone thrown into a match with his team down a man.

Rating: 5