AMSTERDAM – Injured US national team forward Aron Jóhannsson is backing the squad selected for Saturday night's crunch CONCACAF Cup showdown with top rivals Mexico to come away with a victory and the Confederations Cup berth that comes along with it.
The Werder Bremen newcomer is unavailable to USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann for the contest due to an abductor muscle strain that still had him training separately from the squad on Monday. The 24-year-old striker will still be pulling, however, for an American win from Germany, where kick off lands in the middle of the night.
"I am of course very disappointed to be injured and not able to help my team in the biggest game of the year," Jóhannsson told MLSsoccer.com by email. "Mexico have a strong squad with some good individual players, so it's going to be a good game for the neutrals. But I'm very confident that we can come out on top!"
If there's a bright side to his international absence, it's that Jóhannsson can continue getting better acquainted with his new club teammates. Exactly two months since joining Bremen from AZ Alkmaar, the hit man has managed two goals from his first five Bundesliga starts.
Jóhannsson understands the considerable difference between the leagues, which may explain how he's transitioned so solidly from Eredivisie life.
"It's obviously a better league," he stated. "It's way more physical and tactical here in Germany, while in Holland it's more about possession and attacking soccer."
After a positive start, the Green-Whites have dropped four decisions in a row to slip near the danger zone. Table struggles have become common since Bremen capped the last decade – which included a Bundesliga title and a pair of runners-up medals – with their sixth top-three finish in seven seasons.
Handed the No. 9 shirt on arrival, Jóhannsson is among those expected to lead the club back toward the top in Germany. It is a responsibility he has accepted, despite being a new kid on the Bundesliga block.
"Right now we are in a very difficult period, but we are hoping to bounce back as quick as possible," declared Jóhannsson. "I will take one game at a time, work hard to do my best for the team and hopefully score and assist as much as I can to help the team with getting in the upper half of the league."
To read all of MLSsoccer.com’s coverage of the CONCACAF Cup, visitour CONCACAF Cup page.
