Jozy Altidore's 31st goal lifts AZ Alkmaar to Dutch Cup

Jozy Altidore could return to U.S. national team duty in friendlies against Belgium and Germany.

/Getty Images

American Jozy Altidore scored the decisive goal in the 14th minute, leading AZ Alkmaar over PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Thursday night in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for its first Dutch Cup title in 31 years.

Adam Maher put AZ ahead in the 12th minute, and Altidore doubled the lead with his 31st goal of the season in all competitions, his eighth in the cup to go along with 23 in the league.

He ran onto a through pass from Viktor Elm, took a few touches and cut the ball onto his right foot. As a pair of defenders failed to close him down, his low shot from just inside the penalty area beat Boy Waterman to the goalkeeper's left.

Altidore has set the record for most goals by an American in a European club season, topping Clint Dempsey's 23 for Fulham in 2011-12.

Juergen Locadia scored for PSV in the 31st.

AZ won its fourth cup title, following victories in 1978, 1981 and 1982, and earned a berth in the playoff round of qualifying for next season's Europa League.