Time and time again this season, Albert Rusnák has put in man of the match performances when the team needed him most.
In Monday night’s Round of 16 win over Pumas UNAM, the midfielder contributed to three of the Sounders’ four goals, pushing the team to a comprehensive 4-0 win and a spot in the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals (5 p.m. PT; MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, SiriusXM FC, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
“What a game from him,” said midfielder Paul Rothrock.
Rusnák began his dominant performance in the 32nd minute when he served a cross from the right flank for Rothrock to redirect with his head and into the bottom left corner to give the Sounders the go-ahead.
“[Albert’s] service has been awesome lately and that's helped us in games like these,” said Rothrock.
His chance-creating efforts continued in the 58th minute when he headed the ball toward forward Jordan Morris for him to chest and volley the ball near post, extending the lead to two.
“We've kind of formed that relationship as the No. 9 and No. 10,” said Morris. “I love playing with Albert…I feel like it's been a really good partnership.”
Then, in the 71st minute, it was his time to shine in front of the net. After midfielder Obed Vargas drew a foul in the box, the hosts earned a penalty. Rusnák rose to the occasion and knocked the ball in from the spot to further the lead to three.
This type of showing is not out of the ordinary for the Slovak international; along with his four goals in regular-season play, he’s also supported the team with 11 assists, tying him for sixth overall in MLS.
“His ability to find his teammates, and the amount of assists he has this year, he's such a quality player on the ball,” said Morris.
In the last two Leagues Cup matches alone, Rusnák has tallied three assists and one goal for the Rave Green.
“He's been fantastic,” said goalkeeper Andrew Thomas. “He's someone that I would like to try and find more from my own distribution, because he gets us so far forward so quickly in those kind of pockets.”
“He's just a calming presence, irrespective of what he's doing.”
Rusnák closed out tonight’s emphatic victory with additional contributions, including two duels won, four corner kick opportunities, three passes into the final third, and four chances created.
“He makes everyone around him better, which is the sign of a really good player,” said forward Jordan Morris. “So, we're lucky to have him.”
Rusnák’s impact on offense has been vital in terms of the team’s camaraderie this season.
It was noticeable in tonight’s Leagues Cup performance.
“Everyone had a good game tonight, which I think shows the team is all on the same page,” said Morris. “When we're playing at this level together, especially at home, I think we're a really tough team to beat, so we have to keep playing with that same level of intensity with cohesion as a group.”
