Dating back to the club's 2-1 road win over St. Louis CITY SC on May 25, Albert Rusnák has been one of the most productive attacking players across all of Major League Soccer, sparking the Seattle Sounders' 7-1-2 run across all competitions.
The midfielder has tallied four goals and seven assists in his last eleven MLS starts, helping fuel Sounders FC’s seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
“[He has] game intelligence, spatial awareness, and technical ability,” said Assistant Coach Freddy Juarez. “You give him time and space, he's either going to create an opportunity for someone else with his passing delivery, his vision, or he’ll create something [of his own].”
Rusnák entered Major League Soccer as a No. 10. When he joined a star-studded Sounders side in 2022, he sacrificed his personal preferences for the team and played a deeper midfield role as they pursued Concacaf Champions League glory.
“He was unselfish…He’s obviously been a 10 for most of his career, he was a very quality 10 when he when he was at Real Salt Lake, and that's when we brought him in,” said former Sounders midfielder Kelyn Rowe. “When you have a guy like Albert and Nico Lodeiro\], and [João \[Paulo\] as well, that's an amazing midfield, but who's going to be the other [defensive] center with João, and Albert put his hand up and said 'I'll do it,' and he did it very well.”
Since moving back to the central attacking midfield spot midway through last season, Rusnák has taken his game to new heights.
“It feels more natural for me and it's something that I'm enjoying right now,” said Rusnák.
Rusnák left Real Salt Lake after the 2021 season as one of the premier attacking players in MLS with 41 regular season goals and 39 assists from 140 regular-season appearances.
Upon arriving to the Sounders the following year, however, Rusnák’s role changed to a deeper role with more defensive responsibilities, playing alongside João Paulo and Obed Vargas in the double-pivot.
“I think I'm versatile enough to be able to play a few different positions,” said Rusnák. “And based on the team that we had when I came here, it was probably better suited for [for me] to play a little bit deeper.”
While he wasn’t getting on the score sheet as consistently as he had been as an attacking midfielder, his impact on the field remained constant.
“Maybe he wasn't getting the shine that he had been gaining before, but he was still being a big contributor,” said Juarez. “You put that guy anywhere in the park, he's going to help the team out.”
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It was a necessary position change for the team’s sake. With Rusnák playing in a deeper role, the Sounders made history as the first Major League Soccer club to win CCL and book a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.
While Rusnák’s willingness to occupy a different role benefitted the team, it ended up being useful for his overall game as well.
“It helps because I always say different positions on the field require you to do different things and so playing a year and a half in that No. 6 role has definitely brought some benefits,” said Rusnák.
Juarez added, “He’s a 10 that helps defend and likes to do the dirty work and I think that came from having to work as a double pivot.”
During the 2023 season, Seattle boasted one of the best defensive records across the league but was struggling in the attack. Midway through the year, Rusnák was given an opportunity to play in the No. 10 role. He responded by jump-starting the Sounders’ offense, scoring seven game-winning goals and propelling the team to the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference.
After a slow start to the current campaign hampered by injuries, Rusnák has once again ignited the Rave Green’s attack and is on pace to have his best-ever season in MLS.
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“His favorite position is a 10 and I don't think he takes it for granted,” said Juarez.
Rusnák’s contributions in the attack helped him obtain three consecutive Team of the Matchday honors. He has also helped the team climb the standings to within striking distance of a top-four spot in the West while booking a spot in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal.
“It feels good,” said Rusnák. “I have to train hard like I always do, and I feel like if I give my best for the team then the numbers will come themselves.”
The Sounders will look to continue their recent surge in form as they face St. Louis CITY SC at Lumen Field on Wednesday night before hosting Western Conference powerhouse LAFC on Saturday night.
