Forward Aron Johannsson eager to represent US at World Cup, and also make Icelanders proud

United States' Aron Johannsson, center, of the Netherlands, stretches during practice in preparation for the World Cup soccer tournament on Thursday, May 22, 2014, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

United States' Aron Johannsson performs drills during training in preparation for the World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, May 22, 2014, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (The Associated Press)

Aron Johannsson angered a few folks back home in Iceland when he chose to make his World Cup bid with the United States and not his parents' homeland where they still live today.

Born in Alabama, Johannsson moved to Iceland at age 3. The speedy young forward, who scored 26 goals this season for the Dutch club AZ Alkmaar, figures he might be able to sway some Icelandic fans to cheer for him as he heads to Brazil as part of coach Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man roster.

Johannsson dealt with an ankle injury that sidelined him for two weeks late in the season, but has bounced back and hopes to make an impact in a group of forwards missing American star Landon Donovan, among seven players cut this past week.