It has been a disappointing league season for AZ in the Dutch Eredivisie, but the club and its American forward Jozy Altidore on Wednesday snatched some solace from an otherwise down season when they went to Amsterdam and defeated host Ajax, 3-0, to advance to the final of the KNVB Beker (the Dutch cup).

In the game, Altidore scored two goals and set up a third to increase his season total to 23 goals in all competitions, a number that ties the mark for goals scored by an American player in Europe set by Clint Dempsey while playing for Fulham of the Premier League last season.

After a scoreless first half, Altidore put AZ ahead in the 74th minute, scoring on a close-in header.





After setting up Johann Gudmundsson for the team’s second goal in the 88th minute, Altidore scored on an impressive chip from long range.

AZ will hope to salvage its season with a piece of silverware when it faces P.S.V. Eindhoven in the cup final on May 9.

For all his goal-scoring prowess this season in the Netherlands, Altidore, like some of his U.S. national team teammates, seems to struggle to score goals when he plays for his country.

What do you think that is? Is he simply more comfortable and familiar with his club teammates? Does AZ play a style that differs greatly from that played under the U.S. coach, Jurgen Klinsmann?

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