Albert Rusnák

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2024 (Seattle): Rusnák had his most productive MLS season yet in 2024, recording 10 goals and 19 assists in 42 appearances (38 starts) across all competitions, setting a new single-season club assist record. His 29 all-competition goal contributions were one shy of Obafemi Martins’ club record set in 2014, and his 16 regular-season assists tied Nico Lodeiro’s franchise record. The midfielder scored a hat trick on the road against defending MLS Cup champions Columbus (September 7), earning Player of the Matchday honors. He was voted Sounders FC team MVP for the first time following the campaign.

2023 (Seattle): Rusnák tallied seven goals and four assists in all competitions in his second season in Seattle. Each of his goals were game-winning efforts, including both of Seattle’s playoff wins against FC Dallas. The Slovakian made 39 appearances (37 starts) for Seattle in 2023, including both of the club’s Leagues Cup matches and its 2022 FIFA Club World Cup match.

2022 (Seattle): After joining Seattle prior to the season in a historic free agent signing, Rusnák started 30 of 32 regular-season appearances, scoring three goals and adding two assists. He led the team with 2,614 minutes and ranked second with 1,683 accurate passes. His first goal in Rave Green came in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinal against New York City FC (April 7), a 3-1 win. He played every minute for Seattle during the club’s title-winning CCL run.

2021 (Real Salt Lake): The midfielder scored a career-high 11 goals in his final year with Real Salt Lake, adding an additional 11 assists. Rusnàk started all 34 matches while amassing 3,045 minutes. He finished the season strong, tallying six goals and seven assists in his last 13 games as RSL qualified for the seventh and final postseason spot.

2020 (Real Salt Lake): Rusnák started 15 of his 16 matches for Real Salt Lake, scoring three goals and recorded two assists in 1,291 minutes.

2019 (Real Salt Lake): The Slovakian international led RSL with a team-high 10 goals and five assists in 2019. Rusnák played 2,635 minutes and started in 29 of his 31 appearances. He opened up the season with a goal in his first two matches against Houston (March 2) and Vancouver (March 9), then recorded a brace in a 3-0 home win over FC Cincinnati (April 19). Rusnák appeared in both of the club’s postseason matches against Portland and Seattle.

2018 (Real Salt Lake): Again playing an integral role for RSL, Rusnák reached double digit goal scoring in 2018, scoring 10 goals while providing seven assists in 31 appearances. He scored five goals in a three-match stretch from August 18-September 1, including braces against Houston and the LA Galaxy. He appeared in two postseason matches for RSL, scoring a goal against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Western Conference Quarterfinals (November 4).

2017 (Real Salt Lake): In his first season with Real Salt Lake, Rusnák led the team in scoring to win the club's Golden Boot with seven goals in 30 matches played. The Slovakian international totaled 2,975 minutes for the club while providing 14 assists, tied for third in MLS. He scored his first career MLS goal in a 3-0 win over Vancouver on April 8, while also adding two assists. He also tallied one goal and two assists each against the LA Galaxy (July 4) and the San Jose Earthquakes (August 23).

2014-2017 (FC Groningen): Rusnák transferred to Eredivisie club FC Groningen, where he spent three seasons, scoring 12 goals in 73 appearances across all competitions. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over PEC Zwolle in the 2015 KNVB Cup Final (Dutch domestic cup), qualifying Groningen for the UEFA Europa League the next season, where appeared in six matches.

2014 (SC Cambuur): Following his loan to Birmingham City, Rusnák once again left on loan to Eredivisie side SC Cambuur. While at the club, Rusnák scored four goals and recorded five assists in 1,614 minutes played across 19 appearances, 18 of which were starts.

2014 (Birmingham City): In 2014, Rusnák went on loan to Birmingham City and started in all four of his appearances for the Championship club.

2013 (Oldham Athletic): While on loan to League One side Oldham Athletic, Rusnák made his first senior level appearance on August 31 in a 1-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers. He made two more appearances for Oldham before his loan was ended.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Rusnák made his first appearance for the Slovakian senior team on November 15, 2016 in a scoreless draw against Austria. Over the next five years, Rusnák recorded seven goals and five assists in 22 starts across 34 total appearances. His first goal with the senior team was the opener in a 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on March 22, 2018. He appeared in four matches during the 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League, logging 188 minutes. He also appeared in four matches in 2021 during Slovakia’s 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign, starting two and scoring a brace against Malta. He also represented Slovakia at the youth levels, making 24 total appearances for the U-17, U-19 and U-21 squads, scoring seven goals.

YOUTH EXPERIENCE

The Slovakia international started youth career with hometown club MFK Košice before moving to Manchester City’s academy from 2010-2013. He made his first appearance for City U-23s on August 17, 2012 in a scoreless draw against Chelsea U-21. He played in a total of 23 matches for Manchester City U-23, recording five goals and five assists.

ACQUIRED

Signed as a Designated Player on January 13, 2022