USA vs. St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Winners, Losers from World Cup Qualifier

The United States began their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign by hitting St. Vincent and the Grenadines for six in St. Louis.

Jozy Altidore scored twice as Jurgen Klinsmann's squad kicked off their bid to make it to Russia with a 6-1 triumph over their CONCACAF Group C rivals.

Bobby Wood, Fabian Johnson, Geoff Cameron and Gyasi Zardes also found the net for the United States, though they didn't have it all their own way.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines stunned their hosts by taking the lead after just five minutes, with Oalex Anderson firing a shot beyond American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

However, the underdogs—who had knocked out Aruba in the previous qualifying round—were only in front for six minutes.

Here, Bleacher Report picks the winners and losers from the United States' emphatic victory.

Winner: Oalex Anderson

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

For at least a few minutes, Oalex Anderson gave St. Vincent and the Grenadines a reason to believe.

The 20-year-old showed he is a talent to look out for at the Seattle Sounders (he currently plays for the franchise's second string) with a wonderful run and finish.

The United States failed to clear a long ball properly in the fifth minute, allowing Anderson to pick up the scraps and drive at goal.

With DeAndre Yedlin dropping back, Anderson was allowed to keep on running before shifting the ball onto his right foot.

Given too much time by the home defence, he curled a shot into the right corner to stun the United States.

Loser: United States Defence

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

While Oalex Anderson's goal was impressive, the United States were guilty of negligence at the back.

To start with, a long ball over the top caused more problems than it ever should have. Geoff Cameron went across to the right to deal with it, only for the defender to bunt his clearance to Anderson.

DeAndre Yedlin had dropped into the middle to cover for Cameron, yet the full-back failed to get out and deal with the danger.

Rather than closing Anderson down, he allowed the St. Vincent and the Grenadines player to carry the ball into a situation where he was able to get a shot at goal.

In the end, conceding early did not matter much to the final outcome.

However, the United States cannot afford to be so slack at the back when they face Trinidad and Tobago next.

Winner: Jozy Altidore

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Jozy Altidore scored twice and set up another to help the United States cruise to victory.

The former Sunderland striker was left all alone to head home a corner at the back post and make it 3-1 to the home side.

He created the fifth for Gyasi Zardes, dropping deep to pick up possession and then putting his team-mate in on goal with a pass inside the right channel.

Altidore rounded out the scoring in the 74th minute. Having initially displayed his strength by holding off a defender, he then showed nimble footwork to turn in the box and get in a left-footed shot that hit a defender before finding the net.

His second goal of the night was his 31st for the United States, meaning he now sits alone in the fourth spot on the all-time list, per the U.S. Soccer Twitter feed.

Loser: Clint Dempsey

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey's absence from the United States squad for the opening qualifying games was a major surprise.

The experienced forward has scored 48 goals for his country, yet national manager Jurgen Klinsmann took a gamble in leaving him out.

In Dempsey's absence, the United States paired Bobby Wood up front alongside Jozy Altidore.

The duo linked up well, while Fabian Johnson relished the chance to play further forward. It was obviously a routine win, but there were positive signs in attack.

So, is this the beginning of the end of Dempsey's international career? 

His former United States team-mate Landon Donovan believes the veteran should still be recalled, telling Seth Vertelney of Goal.com: "Clint accepted it and did a good job at least publicly of dealing with it, but I would still want him on my team. If I’m a guy in that camp, I’m saying ‘I want Clint on this team.’"

Winners: Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

With the win sewn up, the United States were able to hand international debuts to Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga in the second half.

Nagbe had been tipped to play at the highest level for some time, but he had to wait until the age of 25 for his chance in the national team.

Miazga, meanwhile, picked up his first cap at 20. The tall defender's introduction did not make much difference to the result, but it did alter his future.

He could also have represented Poland, but he is now committed to the United States.

According to U.S. Soccer's official Twitter feed, manager Jurgen Klinsmann said after the match, "It was our wish that if things went accordingly we would get Darlington Nagbe and Matt Miazga on the field tonight."

Winner: Jurgen Klinsmann

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The United States were expected to easily see off a St. Vincent and the Grenadines team that ranked 129th in the world, so it's no major accomplishment that they did. 

However, manager Jurgen Klinsmann will be pleased to get back to winning ways after going into the fixture off the back of three straight defeats (albeit with one of them coming in extra time).

The German found himself under pressure after his squad followed up their failure to win the Gold Cup with losses against Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica. 

He took a gamble in leaving Clint Dempsey out of the squad, too.

However, Klinsmann showed signs he's willing to learn from his mistakes. He played DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson in their preferred roles, plus he kept goalkeeper Brad Guzan happy with a start.

There will undoubtedly be tougher tests to come in qualifying, but a handsome home victory is a solid start for Klinsmann and his troops.