Americans Abroad: Fabian Johnson scores but Mönchengladbach is throttled by Leverkusen 5-1

Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach took the pitch on Saturday with a chance to jump into the top four of the Bundesliga by the end of the matchday.

Things started brightly for Gladbach as they found the back of the net just seven minutes into the contest thanks to Johnson.

Dashing down the right, Thorgan Hazard curled an inviting ball into the Leverkusen box just minutes into the start of the match. With the cross still hanging in the air, Johnson powered past his marker to smash a close-range volley into the back of the Leverkusen net.

The goal was the American's first since March of last season and Gladbach carried their one-goal lead into the break. Their joy would not last long in the second 45 though.

Leverkusen found the net just three minutes into the second half Sven Bender turned a corner into the Gladbach net from close range. Then in the 59th minute, Leon Bailey gave Leverkusen the lead with a curling shot after cutting in from the corner of the penalty area.

From there, it was all Leverkusen as the visitors would go on to score three more in a 5-1 drubbing of Gladbach.

The loss was just the second of the season for Gladbach, while Leverkusen jumps into the top half of the table.