Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnák traveled great distances in search of his first goal for the Slovakian National Team. After returning from Thailand and rejoining his RSL teammates on Tuesday, he couldn’t hide his pride and enthusiasm for scoring a goal in helping Slovakia take home the 2018 King’s Cup.
“It was about time I scored,” he smiled after training with Real Salt Lake on Tuesday in preparation for his club’s clash with defending MLS Cup champion Toronto FC on Friday. “I’ve had a few chances in the games I’ve played. I’m glad I scored my first goal. When I got the ball and I turned I thought there would be somebody with me. I was looking for a pass but I knew in my mind I had to shoot and I had to shoot it high and I had to score. There were guys in position to get the ball … and that was my first international goal.”
Rusnák now has 10 appearances for Slovakia after playing in both matches in the King’s Cup – as a starter against United Arab Emirates and off the bench in the final against Thailand. The crafty playmaker has become a regular international contributor since coming to Real Salt Lake prior to the 2017 season. A strong showing for RSL in his first MLS season that saw him scored seven goals with 14 assists earned him club MVP honors while also keeping him heavily entrenched in Slovakia’s plans.
During 2018 World Cup qualifying, he appeared in five of six matches in 2017 and has been recalled for each of the matches since Slovakia missed out on going to Russia in the highly-competitive European tournament. And while he may play in a position he is less comfortable as a wide midfielder with the freedom to cut inside and contribute centrally, nothing can mute his fervor for helping his national team.
“It feels good every time you play for your national team. And if you can get 90 minutes that’s a bonus,” Rusnák said. “I’m getting called up every time since I came to MLS and that’s a good sign.”
After winning the tournament final on Sunday, another adventure awaited in his journey back to Utah.
After leaving Bangkok on Sunday, he flew to Shanghai where a six-hour layover awaited. From there he went to Los Angeles before ultimately landing in Salt Lake City on Monday night. The 27 hours of travel dropped him in the middle of Real Salt Lake’s preparations for Friday’s meeting with Toronto FC.
He is ready for the challenge, even if he is a bit jet-lagged and exhausted.
“I should be ready. It’s just important right now to not do too much,” he said, referring to the training session on Tuesday. “I’m tired more than anything else. My muscles are fine, it’s just about getting fit and feeling the best for Friday.”
Real Salt Lake departs for Toronto on Wednesday before facing a team that is in the midst of a run in the CONCACAF Champions League after finishing last year as the Voyageurs Cup (as winners of the Canadian Championship tournament), Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup champions.
RSL is 1-1-1 (4 points) this season after posting a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on March 17. This will be the only regular season meeting with Toronto this year and the match can be seen on KMYU, the KSLTV app and KSL.com (6 p.m. MT kickoff).
