A string of accidents outlined the Icelandic-American’s final 11 months, however a return to good well being and a current surge in type recommend that the 24-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker is on the upswing.
BY
Laura Greene
Posted
Could 12, 2015
9:15 AM
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IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH SEASON for AZ Alkmaar’s Aron Johannsson, who has spent giant stretches of his post-World Cup marketing campaign on the remedy desk.
This time final 12 months, the 24-year-old was approaching the top of a prolific breakout season at AFAS Stadion, the place he completed third within the Dutch Eredivisie’s scoring charts.
This time period, it’s been a stop-start affair for the striker who has struggled with health, gone by way of two surgical procedures, acquired simply 16 league begins, and registered seven targets and two assists.
On this month’s On the Report, we convey you an summary of Johannsson’s 2014-15 and chart its many ups and downs.
In January 2013, Johannsson got here to AZ from Danish aspect AGF Aarhus, contemporary from firing 12 targets in 14 Superliga outings.
Simply 14 months later, it got here as little shock that AZ had been fast to increase the Alabama-born participant’s contract, earlier than he boarded a aircraft for Brazil.
The U.S. worldwide had simply scored 26 targets (in all competitions), featured in each sport as his aspect reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League, and he had made it into Jurgen Klinsmann’s last 23 for the 2014 World Cup.
“We’re more than happy that we’ve saved a mainstay in our workforce for longer,” AZ technical director and former U.S. midfielder Earnie Stewart instructed the membership’s official web site in Could.
“Aron has rapidly grown with AZ. We need to reward him with this new contract for his good efficiency. It is wonderful that he instantly grew to become our high scorer in his first full season. Hopefully, Aron continues this trajectory in order that he’ll convey AZ many nice issues.”
In Brazil, Johannsson featured in 67 minutes of World-Cup soccer in opposition to Ghana after approaching as an alternative choice to former AZ marksman Jozy Altidore within the 2-1 win at Natal’s Estadio das Dunas.
He was to make no additional appearances, nevertheless, because the U.S. progressed into the ultimate 16. Simply three days after its exit in opposition to Belgium, it was introduced that Johannsson could be present process remedy to handle a long-term ankle concern.
“He will have surgery this month,” AZ press officer Daan Schippers instructed MLSsoccer.com on July 4. “He can be out six-to-eight weeks.”
With a brand new supervisor in cost at AZ—none aside from Dutch legend Marco van Basten—Johannsson was pressured to overlook the primary 10 video games of the Eredivisie season, as he recovered from his accidents.
“It’s always difficult not to play, but especially in the beginning with a new coaching staff. And of course, I want to be the top scorer in the league, but we’ll see how many games I can play,” he instructed MLSsoccer.com on September 6.
By the point Johannsson was prepared for motion, Van Basten had already stepped down. Citing “physical and mental problems” as his causes for leaving the supervisor’s position, he was changed by John van den Brom,
Johannsson appeared within the Dutch Cup on October 29, in a 5-0 win in opposition to Gelders Veenendaalse Voetbal Verenigingplay (or GVVV), during which he managed 61 minutes and bagged an help.
His first Eredivisie sport of the season got here on November 2, when he went the total 90 in a 3-3 draw with SBV Excelsior.
He adopted this up with 77 minutes in opposition to NAC Breda and within the subsequent fixture he was again on the rating sheet, in a 1-0 win in opposition to Vitesse Arnhem. Two video games later, he discovered the again of the web as soon as once more, in opposition to Go Forward Eagles.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) December 6, 2014
By the point the league halted exercise for the winter break on December 20, Johannsson had clocked up seven video games and two targets and was on the shedding aspect on only one event.
When the Eredivisie began up once more on January 17, Johannsson made two consecutive appearances—14 minutes as an alternative in opposition to FC Dordrecht and 77 minutes in opposition to PEC Zwolle. On January 27, in a Dutch cup sport in opposition to FC Twente, Johannsson began on the bench.
As reported by RTV NH, this sparked switch hypothesis: “If he is not in the plans of coach Van den Brom, he will look for another club,” mentioned the Dutch public broadcaster. “It’s still a few days before the transfer market is locked, I do not rule out a transfer,” Johannsson remarked.
RTV NH went on so as to add that AZ coach John van den Brom was not impressed by these statements: “Let him come,” the coach said. “I hear it.”
Johannsson responded by scoring targets in his subsequent two Eredivisie outings. The primary, a full 90 minutes in opposition to Heracles Almelo on February 1 and the second on February 5, in opposition to then-title-holders Ajax.
On this tie, the ahead bagged the one aim of the sport earlier than limping off within the eighty fifth minute.
“Aron’s got a ‘big egg’ on his ankle, as they say in the Netherlands,” Schippers told MLSsoccer.com. “He is doubtful for Sunday’s match, but we’ll try to prepare him.”
The following day an article appeared in De Telegraaf, below the headline “Van den Brom fed up of ‘complaining’ Johannsson.”
Because the physique of the article learn: “John van den Brom was overjoyed along with his striker Aron Johannsson however the AZ coach needed to do some work to get the attacker on edge, he defined after the 0-1 win at Ajax.
“Johannsson just lately fought his means again into the aspect, when Van den Brom once more went to play with three strikers and the U.S. Icelander may carry out. That occurred solely after he complained within the press that he had little enjoying time and alternatives.
“Van der Brom was not amused and told that he would rather speak to him first in his office. ‘But when you talk to them, they know the situation,’ said the trainer, that the player himself realized he had shown very little this season.”
Sidelined for 3 video games with yet one more damage, Johannsson wouldn’t play once more till February 28, the place he acquired 11 minutes in opposition to Willem II.
One other aim got here on March 8, with a strike in opposition to FC Utrecht throughout a 6-2 away defeat. He additionally performed 90 minutes in opposition to Vitesse on March 13 and 70 in opposition to SC Cambuur on March 21.
Per week earlier, Klinsmann had this to say on the U.S. Soccer Federation’s promotional website: “We had Aron Johannsson watched by Andi Herzog. We are glad to see Aron back in the mix and getting his games, even if it’s not always as a starter yet. He had a rough time after the World Cup with injuries. It took him a long time to get back in the picture, but once he gets back on the field he’s always smelling the goal and scoring. That’s what a goalscorer is all about—he has to prove his point by putting the ball in the net. That’s what Aron is doing.”
With worldwide friendlies in opposition to Denmark and Switzerland looming, Johannsson spoke to reporters on March 24: “There’s 20 players fighting for 11 spots to begin the game, so it’s nice to be back in the competitive arena. It’s been very tough. In January I was getting back and playing 90 minute games, scored a couple of games in a row, then I got an ankle injury, so it’s been that kind of year for me.”
The next day, Johannsson made his first look for the U.S. since Brazil. In a return to his former residence floor at Aarhus—he went 67 minutes within the 3-2 pleasant defeat in opposition to Denmark, scored a aim.
“Obviously it’s great for me that they still know my name back here and they still cheer for me. It’s a great city and I’m very happy to be back, but on the other hand, the result kind of killed it,” he mentioned after the sport.
— Terrence Boyd (@TBoyd91) March 25, 2015
“On the floor it’s laborious to have a look at a strike duo who each scored, with one establishing the opposite on one of many targets, as failing to persuade in a sport. However this wasn’t an amazing night time for Aron Johansson and Jozy Altidore.
“Johansson was neither hold up man or smart-moving second striker, or a ready outlet from midfield, and looked lost for much of the night. He certainly seemed to buy little space for his strike partner. Credit to Johansson for the willing run and finish under pressure (plenty of such “tap ins” have been ballooned over the bar by different strikers) however this was not a convincing efficiency.”
Unable to play in a pleasant in opposition to Switzerland on March 31, Johannsson was once more pressured to overlook out, this time attributable to a toe an infection.
“This season has been the most difficult in my life, with injuries playing a big part,” he told USsoccerplayers.com “It’s been hard to find the same rhythm from last year but I am working hard to get in the same momentum.”
Again in motion on April 5, Johannsson acquired half-hour in a 4-1 defeat to Feyenoord and managed an help in opposition to Heerenveen on April 11 in a 5-2 loss. He added yet one more within the subsequent fixture, a house victory in opposition to ADO Den Haag on April 18 and notched his sixth league aim of the season in opposition to FC Twente on April 26, a 2-0 win.
Such a relaxed, stylish and picked up end by Aron Johannsson. #USMNT https://t.co/F5tieE4XKr
— The Bolivian Yank (@TheBolivianYank) April 26, 2015
Nice win tonight in opposition to a superb workforce! Completely satisfied to be on the scoresheet once more!! ???? #AZ #AJ9 pic.twitter.com/C8ibKIZdii
— Aron Jóhannsson (@aronjo20) April 26, 2015
Nevertheless, his most up-to-date aim tops all of them. On Could 10, Johannsson struck the long-range winner within the 88th minute of a 3-2 residence win in opposition to NAC Breda.
My mom requested for a aim for a Moms Day current! Glad I may make her glad!! ???????????? #HappyMothersDay https://t.co/Unw3njG0sL
— Aron Jóhannsson (@aronjo20) Could 10, 2015
Johannsson won’t look again fondly on his 2014-15 marketing campaign, however after notching current back-to-back targets plus that golazo, his season is ending on a excessive. With higher luck and higher well being, he could possibly contribute to the US’ 2015 Gold Cup ambitions—or a minimum of start the subsequent time period in full well being.
Laura Greene is a frequent ASN contributor. Please observe her on Twitter.
