MF Albert Rusnák Joins Slovakia, FW Jefferson Savarino is Called to Venezuela and DF Shawn Barry Will Play for Puerto Rico in Upcoming International Break; All Three are Expected to Return Prior to RSL’s Home Match on October 18 Against the New England Revolution
SANDY, Utah (Friday, October 5, 2018) – Real Salt Lake MF Albert Rusnák, FW Jefferson Savarino and DF Shawn Barry have been called in to their respective countries for international duty during the upcoming FIFA break. Rusnák will join the Slovakian National Team for a UEFA Nations League B match against Czech Republic on October 13 in Trnava, Slovakia, before a friendly against Sweden on October 16. Savarino will play with the Venezuelan National Team in a pair of friendlies in Spain against Basque Country on October 12 and United Arab Emirates on October 16. Barry will join Puerto Rico for their CONCACAF Nations League qualifying match on October 13 against Martinique.
The trio will be available on Saturday when Real Salt Lake hosts the Portland Timbers (7:30 p.m. MT, Rio Tinto Stadium) and are scheduled to return prior to RSL’s match on October 18 against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. MT, Rio Tinto Stadium).
“This is a great opportunity for Albert, Jefferson and Shawn to get good experience with international play, but also to stay sharp over the international break as we get into the final two matches of the regular season,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “All three players have worked hard to get these rewards with their national teams and we are proud of their accomplishments.”
In his second MLS season, Rusnák is second on RSL in scoring with 10 goals and seven assists. In 59 MLS matches over two seasons, he has 17 goals and 21 assists. He has three goals in the last two matches for Real Salt Lake, leading the charge in consecutive road wins over the Houston Dynamo and Colorado Rapids. Rusnák, 24, has 14 caps for Slovakia, scoring his second goal last month in a friendly against Denmark.
Also in his second season with RSL, Savarino is the club leader in assists this season with 11 to go with his six goals. He has 12 goals and 16 assists in 52 matches since coming to Real Salt Lake early last season. Savarino, 21, made his international debut at Rio Tinto Stadium, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against the U.S. on June 3, 2017. He has three caps for Venezuela.
Barry, 28, has four appearances for Real Salt Lake this season and played one match with Real Monarchs SLC in the USL after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for four months. He came to RSL prior to this season after spending his career in Austria, Germany and Poland. He got his first international cap with Puerto Rico last month, playing 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Real Salt Lake is sixth in the Western Conference at 13-11-7 (46 points) and will face the Portland Timbers on Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium. Limited tickets are available at ksl.com/rsl and by calling 844-REAL-TIX (844-732-5849).
