The 2013-14 campaign for AZ Alkmaar was an epic season of European adventure and domestic turbulence, culminating in a competitive 8th-place finish in the Eredivisie. Under the late-season guidance of returning veteran manager Dick Advocaat, the Cheeseheads broke their club record for competitive matches in a season (58) thanks to a remarkable run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, where they were only eliminated by an almost infallible Benfica side after a heart-breaking extra-time loss in the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup to Ajax. The year belonged to the American striker Aron Jóhannsson, whose 17 league goals proved his breakout season, anchoring a memorable campaign defined by marathon journeys and a hard-fought battle on multiple fronts.