Jóhannsson tallies Europa League PK, nears Altidore's American abroad goal record

Aron Johannsson added to his season goal tally with a penalty kick in the Europa League on Thursday. (Getty Images)

It wasn't necessarily his prettiest effort, but AZ Alkmaar striker and U.S. men's national team forward Aron Jóhannsson scored again on Thursday, with his penalty kick rolling by Anzhi Mackhachkala goalkeeper Mikhail Kerzhakov in the 29th minute of their UEFA Europa League game.

Kerzhakov guessed correctly and got down to his left quickly, but the ball sprung off both hands and over the goal line to give AZ an early 1-0 lead. With the one-goal win, the Dutch team takes a slim lead into the return leg of the round of 16 matchup next week.

Watch the handball leading to the penalty and Johannsson's PK below:

Aron Johannssonby goalsandmore

It was Jóhannsson’s 25th goal of the season in all competitions, and a half-dozen more would tie Jozy Altidore’s record for Americans abroad. Altidore scored 31 goals when he and Jóhannsson were teammates at AZ last year.

Altidore has since struggled at Sunderland in the Premier League, where he has only managed two goals in all competitions for the Black Cats. With Jóhannsson continuing to score, he is giving head coach Jürgen Klinsmann more food for thought ahead of the World Cup.