MLS 2022: It is official! Albert Rusnak is now a Seattle Sounders FC player

MLS 2022 continues its course and as a new development, today it was confirmed that Abert Rusnak is already a Seattle Sounders FC player, as a Designated Player trough 2023 season, with an option to renew in 2024. 

The Seattle Sounders managed to sign him as a Designated Player through free agency, after playing for Real Salt Lake where he scored 11 goals, provided 11 assists and was the undisputed captain of his team in the last 34 games.

In previous days the news was announced but it had only been an unconfirmed rumor and neither the clubs involved nor the player had dared to speak about it. 

Upon his arrival, Rusnak will join the team as a Designated Player alongside midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro and striker Raúl Ruidíaz.

This change was made possible because midfielder Joao Paulo, selected for the Best XI last year, was a Designated Player the last two seasons for the team and will now be eligible to count on the roster as a TAM (Targeted Allocation Money) player.

Sounders head coach and the president of the team expect a lot from Rusnak

The player's arrival was made known through a press release in which it was revealed that both his coach and his sporting president at Seattle Sounders FC expect a lot from him. 

Seattle general manager and president of soccer Garth Lagerwey was effusive with his comments toward Rusnak.

"We are very pleased to welcome a player of such quality as Albert to Seattle."

He added: "At 27 years old, he is in the prime of his career and already knows our league very well. We are confident that his addition puts our squad in a very good position to succeed in 2022."

For his part, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said he is pleased that one of the most "difficult" players his team has faced is finally playing for him. 

Schmetzer said, "I'm very happy to add a player of Albert's caliber to our roster."

"Over the years, he has been one of the toughest players we have faced, so I am more than happy to be able to welcome him to our team as we begin preseason camp," the coach finished. 

What can Rusnak bring to Seattle Sounders FC?

The former Real Salt Lake captain has always been a driving force for the team and his teammates, and knows how to propel his squad forward, as well as having been an undisputed starter at RSL. 

As a midfielder the player is a great passer of the ball as he completed 89 percent of his passes in the previous tournament, and as a defender he is no less impressive. 

Rusnak has a tackle rate against opponents of 48 percent, and he is very careful in this respect as he accumulated only six yellow cards in the whole of last season. 

In fact last season Rusnak only missed the first playoff game, coincidentally a win against the Sounders at Lumen Field as he tested positive for a COVID-19 test. 

However he was able to return to play in the Western Conference final against the Portland Timbers, where he played all 90 minutes in RSL's 2-0 loss.