I think his attitude has been great. He's got a quality to him, you can tell that right off the bat. – Kyle Beckerman
SANDY — The departure of club icon Javier Morales left Real Salt Lake with some big soccer cleats and a No. 11 jersey to fill. With the arrival of Slovakian midfielder Albert Rusnak, the team hopes they’ve found that someone.
The new guy has impressed teammates and coaches alike not only with his immense skill and feel for the game, but for his calm, professional demeanor and approach. His attitude seems to go well beyond his age of 22.
For RSL captain Kyle Beckerman, Rusnak’s cool temperament was immediately apparent.
“I think his attitude has been great,” said Beckerman. “He’s got a quality to him, you can tell that right off the bat.”
For Rusnak, the mindset of a professional footballer is something he grew up with. His father, also named Albert, was a professional soccer player and instilled his attitude on Albert Jr. at a young age.
“He’s got a big impact on my career,” Rusnak said about his father. “He taught me from a young age what it takes to become a professional. Even now, I’m 22, and I still talk to him every day about soccer and about the games we play, and he asks me every day ‘how is the training?’ So basically everyday talk with him is about soccer.”
As a scout for Manchester City, Rusnak Sr. saw his son’s potential as a professional, and took his son to the academy side of the club in 2010. Having played for a Slovakian team since he was very young, Rusnak Jr. continued to develop his professionalism away from his home.
“I left my home when I was 13 and since I was 15, I’ve lived alone. I think I’m mature, I got there a little bit quicker than other guys. And the professionalism, I know it’s a big part of the game, you have to be professional if you want to succeed, and I’m trying to do that every day,” said Rusnak.
Growing up in Slovakia, where the major sports are hockey and soccer, Rusnak found his first love for sports and competitiveness on the ice. As for what he brings to the soccer pitch from his hockey playing days, it’s “probably nothing,” Rusnak said with a laugh.
His teammate Tony Beltran might disagree, recalling an instance in the preseason where Rusnak won a tough 50-50 battle with his shoulder, which led to a scoring chance for RSL.
“He doesn’t shy away from things,” said Beltran. “I think Albert being a strong kid, he’s going to be able to protect himself.”
As for whether the new No. 11 will be able to fill the cleats of his predecessor, only time will tell.