AMSTERDAM – Aron Jóhannsson became just the fourth American to hit the 20-goal mark in a single European campaign on Tuesday, striking the insurance marker as KNVB Cup holders AZ Alkmaar progressed to the final four of the competition with a 2-0 victory at Roda JC.
Having missed over from a good position earlier in the contest, Jóhannsson made no mistake after receiving a Viktor Elm feed in the 59th minute. It was his chart-topping sixth goal of the tournament and 20th across all competitions.
Reaching that milestone puts Jóhannsson in an exclusive club of American exports with Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey and Earnie Stewart. In addition, the goal made it nine straight Dutch Cup matches in which a US international has scored for the Cheese Farmers. Last year, Altidore was the tourney's top gun on the way to the crown.
Not only did the result make AZ the first team booked for the semifinals, it also gave them their first road win of any kind since October. They will learn their last obstacle to the final in Thursday's draw.
