Aron Johannsson. Photo/Kari Heistad
BOSTON, MA — Some of the U.S.’ all-time greatest goal scorers never had much of an impact with the national team, with Aron Johannsson in danger of being the next one to lose his place.
Johannsson is a tall, hulking striker with a strong scoring record—leading AZ Alkmaar in scoring two years ago and finishing third on the chart this season—but hasn’t had as much playing time with the national team despite being part of last summer’s World Cup and this month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
A pesky ankle injury has been limiting Johannsson’s contribution to both club and country over the last year, which has led to him moving down the national team’s depth chart.
Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey typically start at forward for the U.S., though Johannsson was giving Altidore worthy competition for a spot in the starting lineup in the lead-up to the World Cup. Now Johansson is trying to break in while competing with a slew of up-and-coming forwards that for now are bench players, like Bobby Wood and Juan Agudelo, as well as Chris Wondolowski.
The Gold Cup, which continues tonight at Gillette Stadium with the U.S. squaring off against Haiti, is an ideal setting for Johannsson to re-assert himself. His competition for playing time is much less since coach Jurgen Klinsmann took four forwards: Dempsey, Altidore, Wondolowski, and Johannsson. Altidore, who used to play with Johannsson on Az Alkmaar, thinks his former club teammate is more than capable of finding his place on the national team again.
“[Johannsson] always improves, every day,” Altidore said Thursday. “From he first joined AZ, he’s been a guy who can connect the game. He’s good great feat, he’s a good passer and he creates chances. It’s a great player to have.”
That said, plenty of greats have been left off the team in the past. Jason Kreis, the first player to score 100 goals in MLS, only played 14 times for the U.S. and scored just one goal. Taylor Twellman, who scored 100 goals in MLS faster than any player in history, didn’t have the international career he should have had, either. Wondolowski has played in a World Cup, but has been on-again, off-again with the national team program because he’s struggled to bring the consistency he shows at the club level to the international level.
Johannsson’s weakness is his fitness, which Klinsmann prioritizes above most things. He played just once in last summer’s World Cup, coming on as a substitute in the first game, then was relegated to the bench because of fitness issues.
“Obviously it was great to be a part of the team for the World Cup, but I think about what could have been if I had been fit,” said Johannsson. “Now it’s a tournament and I hope I can show things on the pitch.”
Johannsson took a two-week rest ahead of the Gold Cup to mind his fitness and rest his ankle. He didn’t play in the opening 2-1 win over Honduras, but is available again tonight. If he gets on the field, he’ll need to remind his coach why he belongs.
If you want to reach Julian, email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
