AMSTERDAM – The last American standing in European play was bounced on Thursday, with Aron Jóhannsson unable to find a single shot in AZ Alkmaar's 2-0 (3-0 aggregate) loss at Europa League quarterfinal hosts Benfica.
The US national team forward, who spurned a golden chance to equalize in stoppage time of the home leg, was granted little space to operate by Eagles central defense tandem Ezequiel Garay and Luisão in Lisbon. Jóhannsson linked play well and asked some serious questions of the Benfica center backs, but was routinely dispossessed in style around the box.
Now down to just Eredivisie competition, Jóhannsson & Co. will focus on locking down a place in the postseason Europa League playoff, which they can accomplish with a victory over visiting NEC Nijmegen on Sunday.
