by Roderick MacNeil
Alejandro Bedoya nods home a goal for Nantes vs. AS Monaco (FC Nantes – A.O.)
Aron Johannsson was back in the scoring column this weekend for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. The USMNT forward notched his 26th goal of the season in all competitions with a 60th minute strike vs. Roda JC Kerkrade. It was his first goal since scoring on March 13 in a Europa League match. He is now 5 goals away from Jozy Altidore’s record of 31 goals for American players abroad.
Johannsson began a snaking run about 25 yards from goal in anticipation of a right wing cross from teammate Steven Berghuis. Johannsson eluded the Roda defender to put a perfectly placed header on target just inside the six-yard box. He also assisted on Markus Henrikson’s 46th minute tally. Johannsson’s goal tied the match at 2:2, and that’s how it would end.
The draw leaves AZ Alkmaar in 7th position on the league table, 9 points behind Vitesse for 4th place and direct place in the 2014-15 Europa League Group Stage. With just three games remaining this season, it appears certain that the club will instead advance to the Europa League playoff qualification.
Johannsson was also the victim of a bizarre incident in the 40th minute, when Roda defender Guy Ramos grabbed Johannsson’s crotch. The offense apparently went unnoticed by officials, as no card was assessed at the time. There is still no word on any possible disciplinary action for Ramos.
AZ Alkmaar next plays on Thursday, April 10 at Benfica in the second leg of the 2013-14 Europa League Quarterfinals. Benfica holds a 1:0 edge, so it’ll be an uphill climb for Johannsson’s club.
Here’s Johannsson’s 60th minute goal:
In Ligue 1 action in France, USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya was on the scoring sheet again for FC Nantes. It was the 5th goal of the season in all competitions for Bedoya, who appears to have a moderately secure World Cup roster spot at this point.
With Nantes trailing 3:0 in the 78th minute against powerhouse AS Monaco, Bedoya got on the receiving end of a beautifully lofted cross from teammate Johan Audel. Bedoya elevated above the Monaco defender from about 12 yards out to angle a headed ball into the far upper right corner beyond the reach of the diving Monaco goalkeeper. Nantes wouldn’t score again, falling by a 3:1 final margin.
Nantes dropped to 15th position in the Ligue 1 table in what has been a struggling campaign for the club. With just six games remaining in the French season, Nantes is still 8 points clear of the drop zone and appears likely to survive relegation.
Nantes next plays on Sunday, April 13 vs. Guingamp, in an important relegation battle. Guingamp sits just two points behind Nantes on the league table.
Here is Bedoya’s 78th minute goal:
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