Aron Johannsson scores in heavy AZ defeat

U.S. international striker Aron Johannsson scored in the first half for AZ, in what was the lone bright spot in a 5-1 defeat to Heerenveen in the Eredivisie.

Trailing 2-0 in the 40th minute, Johannsson chested down a ball over the top in the box, and calmly finished past goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt. It was Johannsson's 18th goal across all competitions this season.

Unfortunately for AZ, the American's goal was the team's lone strike of the afternoon, and Heerenveen unleashed a barrage of goals, gaining revenge for the team's penalty kick shootout loss to AZ in the Dutch Cup midweek -- a game in which Johannsson scored a brace.

With the defeat, AZ dropped to seventh place in the Eredivisie table.