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RSL: Albert Rusnák called into Slovakia Camp for WCQ

By Jordan Jacobsen

Mar 4, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) cheers their fans after the 0-0 tie against the Toronto FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) cheers their fans after the 0-0 tie against the Toronto FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnák has been called into camp with the Slovakian National Team ahead of the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

After two promising appearances stateside with Real Salt Lake, Albert Rusnák is already seeing dividends.  Albert has been called up by the Slovakian National Team ahead of their March 25 bout against Malta. Through two contests in a new league and with his new club, Rusnák has shown brightly in the RSL attack, which caught the attention of Slovakia’s head coach Ján Kozák.

Rusnák received several call-ups for Slovakian youth squads during his time with Manchester City. This will be only his second call-up for the senior squad.

UEFA World Cup Qualifying

Slovakia current sit third in Group F behind England and Slovenia. The top two teams from the group advancing into the next round of qualifying. For the group winner, they secure a spot for Russia 2018. The second place finisher will be placed against the nine other group runners-up. The top eight being paired into knockout pairings based on their total points.

The four winners of the knockout round will punch their ticket to Russia and a chance to play on the world’s stage. Slovakia is only two points behind second place Slovenia after four matches. Malta currently is in last place in the group. The team has only scored one goal so far through four matches of group play.

Slovakia should expect a multiple goal victory as they go on the road to meet Malta. This will be their first meeting in this edition of qualifying. Slovenia visits fifth place Scotland while England hosts fourth place Lithuania.

Mar 11, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) takes a corner kick during the second half of the match against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) takes a corner kick during the second half of the match against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sloveskí sokoli

The Slovakian’s are ranked 25th in the most current FIFA ranking.  In their first match of qualifying, the team gave up a 95′ goal in extra time to lose to visiting England. They followed up the loss by giving up another late goal, this time to Slovenia, as they went on the road the first time. Slovakia responded well, pummeling Scotland and Lithuania in their next two contests, 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.

It remains to be seem whether or not Rusnák will see the field. Given some of the other names called in, it is unlikely. Albert will have a chance to compete day-to-day with some of the top European players. Slovakian captain Marek Hamšik is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world at the moment. Rusnák will be able to see him firsthand while at camp.

Real Salt Lake vs LA Galaxy, March 18, 7:30 pm (MST)

Rusnák will miss RSL’s March 25 contest on the road against New York Red Bulls. While he will be missed as the Real attack tries to build cohesion, hopefully he can gain confidence in camp and secure a spot with the national team as they move forward in qualifying.

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