51215_is-_johannssonaron_usmntjd032515106 John Dorton/isiphotos.com
On the Record

Here's What They're Saying About Aron Johannsson

A string of injuries defined the Icelandic-American's last 11 months, but a return to good health and a recent surge in form suggest that the 24-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker is on the upswing.
BY Laura Greene Posted
May 12, 2015
9:15 AM

IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH SEASON for AZ Alkmaar’s Aron Johannsson, who has spent large stretches of his post-World Cup campaign on the treatment table. 

This time last year, the 24-year-old was approaching the end of a prolific breakout season at AFAS Stadion, where he finished third in the Dutch Eredivisie’s scoring charts.

This term, it’s been a stop-start affair for the striker who has struggled with fitness, gone through two surgeries, received just 16 league starts, and registered seven goals and two assists.

In this month’s On the Record, we bring you an overview of Johannsson’s 2014-15 and chart its many ups and downs.

In January 2013, Johannsson came to AZ from Danish side AGF Aarhus, fresh from firing 12 goals in 14 Superliga outings.

Just 14 months later, it came as little surprise that AZ were quick to extend the Alabama-born player’s contract, before he boarded a plane for Brazil.

The U.S. international had just scored 26 goals (in all competitions), featured in every game as his side reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League, and he had made it into Jurgen Klinsmann’s final 23 for the 2014 World Cup.

“We are very pleased that we have kept a mainstay in our team for longer," AZ technical director and former U.S. midfielder Earnie Stewart told the club’s official website in May.

"Aron has quickly grown with AZ. We want to reward him with this new contract for his good performance. It's amazing that he immediately became our top scorer in his first full season. Hopefully, Aron continues this trajectory so that he will bring AZ many great things.”

In Brazil, Johannsson featured in 67 minutes of World-Cup football against Ghana after coming on as a substitute for former AZ marksman Jozy Altidore in the 2-1 win at Natal’s Estadio das Dunas.

He was to make no further appearances, however, as the U.S. progressed into the final 16. Just three days after its exit against Belgium, it was announced that Johannsson would be undergoing treatment to address a long-term ankle issue.

"He will have surgery this month," AZ press officer Daan Schippers told MLSsoccer.com on July 4. "He will be out six-to-eight weeks.”

 

A photo posted by Aron Johannsson (@aronjo) on

The following month, news surfaced of a further setback. This time, groin surgery. “It was not found that he needed surgery until he was in rehab for his ankle," Schippers revealed.

With a new manager in charge at AZ—none other than Dutch legend Marco van Basten—Johannsson was forced to miss the first 10 games of the Eredivisie season, as he recovered from his injuries.

“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 told MLSsoccer.com on September 6.

By the time Johannsson was ready for action, Van Basten had already stepped down. Citing “physical and mental problems” as his reasons for leaving the manager’s role, he was replaced by John van den Brom,

Johannsson appeared in the Dutch Cup on October 29, in a 5-0 win against Gelders Veenendaalse Voetbal Verenigingplay (or GVVV), in which he managed 61 minutes and bagged an assist.

His first Eredivisie game of the season came on November 2, when he went the full 90 in a 3-3 draw with SBV Excelsior.

He followed this up with 77 minutes against NAC Breda and in the next fixture he was back on the score sheet, in a 1-0 win against Vitesse Arnhem. Two games later, he found the back of the net once again, against Go Ahead Eagles. 

By the time the league halted activity for the winter break on December 20, Johannsson had clocked up seven games and two goals and was on the losing side on just one occasion.

When the Eredivisie started up again on January 17, Johannsson made two consecutive appearances—14 minutes as a substitute against FC Dordrecht and 77 minutes against PEC Zwolle. On January 27, in a Dutch cup game against FC Twente, Johannsson started on the bench.

As reported by RTV NH, this sparked transfer speculation: “If he is not in the plans of coach Van den Brom, he will look for another club,” said 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 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 goals in his next two Eredivisie outings. The first, a full 90 minutes against Heracles Almelo on February 1 and the second on February 5, against then-title-holders Ajax.

In this tie, the forward bagged the only goal of the game before limping off in the 85th 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 next day an article appeared in De Telegraaf, under the headline “Van den Brom fed up of 'complaining' Johannsson.”

As the body of the article read: “John van den Brom was overjoyed with his striker Aron Johannsson but the AZ coach had to do some work to get the attacker on edge, he explained after the 0-1 win at Ajax.

“Johannsson recently fought his way back into the side, when Van den Brom again went to play with three strikers and the U.S. Icelander could perform. That happened only after he complained in the press that he had little playing time and opportunities.

“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 three games with yet another injury, Johannsson would not play again until February 28, where he got 11 minutes against Willem II.

Another goal came on March 8, with a strike against FC Utrecht during a 6-2 away defeat. He also played 90 minutes against Vitesse on March 13 and 70 against SC Cambuur on March 21.

A week earlier, Klinsmann had this to say on the U.S. Soccer Federation's promotional site: “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.”

 

Gameday! #IBelieve #1N1T #USAvsPOR

A photo posted by Aron Johannsson (@aronjo) on

 

With international friendlies against 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 following day, Johannsson made his first appearance for the U.S. since Brazil. In a return to his former home ground at Aarhus—he went 67 minutes in the 3-2 friendly defeat against Denmark, scored a goal.

 “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 said after the game. 

In England’s Guardian newspaper, Graham Parker assessed the Johannsson/Jozy Altidore partnership after the Denmark loss:

“On the surface it’s hard to look at a strike duo who both scored, with one setting up the other on one of the goals, as failing to convince in a game. But this wasn’t a great night 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 other strikers) but this was not a convincing performance.”

Unable to play in a friendly against Switzerland on March 31, Johannsson was again forced to miss out, this time due to a toe 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.”

Back in action on April 5, Johannsson received 30 minutes in a 4-1 defeat to Feyenoord and managed an assist against Heerenveen on April 11 in a 5-2 loss. He added one more in the next fixture, a home victory against ADO Den Haag on April 18 and notched his sixth league goal of the season against FC Twente on April 26, a 2-0 win.

 

However, his most recent goal tops them all. On May 10, Johannsson struck the long-range winner in the 88th minute of a 3-2 home win against NAC Breda.

Johannsson will not look back fondly on his 2014-15 campaign, but after notching recent back-to-back goals plus that golazo, his season is ending on a high. With better luck and better health, he may be able to contribute to the United States' 2015 Gold Cup ambitions—or at least begin the next term in full health. 

Laura Greene is a frequent ASN contributor. Please follow her on Twitter.

Post a comment

AmericanSoccerNow.