Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnák is currently featuring for his native Slovakia during the UEFA EURO qualifiers and is quickly making his mark by scoring another goal and adding an assist.
On Thursday, Rusnák and Slovakia faced Hungary in the qualification round of the tournament where it claimed a 2-0 victory over the Hungarians, a match that saw Rusnák notch the match-winning assist before adding the game’s second goal. Rusnák scored his goal after opening up space near the corner of the penalty area before firing a left-footed effort through the legs of his defender and just inside the near post to solidify the victory.
With a goal and assist on Thursday, Rusnák now has four goals and three assists in his last six appearances with Slovakia to cement himself in Head Coach Pavel Hapal’s side during the qualifying stages of the tournament.
Slovakia carries with it several recognizable faces in world football with the likes of captain midfielder Marek Hamsîk and Robert Mak. Rusnák is rapidly becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the Slovakian side after his most recent performances for his country. In total, Rusnák now has five goals in 18 caps with Slovakia, making 17 appearances since coming to Utah. He scored his first international goal on March 22, 2018, in the King’s Cup in Thailand before claiming his second in a friendly with Denmark on September 18. He added two more on October 16 against Sweden and November 16 against Ukraine.
Slovakia will now face Wales on Sunday, March 24 in Wales as it looks to stay atop Group E in the UEFA EURO qualifiers.
At just 24-years-old, the RSL midfielder provides a constant threat for the club and in 2019 has already notched the two goals. Prior to 2019, Rusnák has shown his world-class pedigree having scored 19 goals and adding 21 assists to lead the club in both categories since 2017. In 2017 Rusnák earned the club’s Golden Boot and MVP honors after earning seven goals and 17 assists. Last season the midfielder finished second in scoring with 10 goals and fourth on the team in assists with 14.
Real Salt Lake is currently 1-1-1 (4 points) and faces LAFC on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. MT with broadcast coverage on KMYU, the KSL TV app, KSL.com and ESPN 700. After the club’s match against LAFC, RSL will return home to face FC Dallas on March 30.
