A. Rusnák Wears #11 and Steals the Ball (and Your Heart) for Seattle Sounders FC
You probably know Albert Rusnák as that steady presence in the middle of the pitch, wearing the number 11 for Seattle Sounders FC. He came through Manchester City’s academy, spent time with FC Groningen, and then made a name for himself at Real Salt Lake. Rusnák has built his career on vision and control. He drives Seattle’s attack with creativity, consistency, and a real knack for delivering in key moments.
When you look at his journey—from early years in Europe to becoming a Designated Player in Major League Soccer—you see a midfielder who adapts and thrives. His time at Real Salt Lake showed he could carry an offense, and when he moved to Seattle in 2022, he got the platform to influence matches at the highest level in MLS.
His 2024 season? He put up 11 goals and a club-record 19 assists, which really cemented his place as one of the league’s most productive midfielders.
But it’s not just about stats. Rusnák’s leadership stretches beyond the numbers. His composure and decision-making shape how Seattle plays, connecting midfield to attack and setting the rhythm of the game.
As you read on, you’ll see how his career milestones, recent performances, and influence on the Sounders’ system show why he’s still so central to the club’s ambitions.
Contents
A. Rusnák: Key Facts and Career Overview
Albert Rusnák built his career on consistency, vision, and technical skill. You see his impact most when he links midfield to attack, whether he’s creating chances for teammates or finishing them himself.
His path from Europe to Major League Soccer shows a steady rise shaped by both club and international experience.
Jersey Number and Position
Rusnák stands out as a midfielder, excelling in both attacking and central roles. For Seattle Sounders FC, he wears the number 11 jersey—a number that usually signals creativity and attacking play.
His versatility lets him shift between orchestrating the attack and pushing forward into goal-scoring positions.
He stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 175 pounds, which gives him a good mix of balance and technical precision. The team often trusts him with set pieces, including corner kicks and penalties.
That responsibility says a lot about his accuracy under pressure and his ability to influence key moments.
On the international stage with Slovakia, he’s also featured in midfield, showing the same adaptability that makes him valuable at the club level.
His positioning and decision-making give you a player who can fit into different tactical systems and still stay effective.
MLS Career Highlights
Rusnák joined MLS in 2017 with Real Salt Lake, and he quickly became one of the league’s most productive midfielders. Over five seasons, he scored 41 goals and added 39 assists in 140 regular-season appearances.
His best year came in 2021, when he posted 11 goals and 11 assists while starting every match.
Here’s a quick look at his MLS production before joining Seattle:
| Club | Years | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake | 2017-2021 | 140 | 41 | 39 |
| Seattle Sounders | 2022-2024 | 113 | 22 | 25 |
He picked up MLS Player of the Matchday honors in 2024 after scoring a hat trick against Columbus. You can see how he delivers in big games, making him a reliable figure in both regular season and postseason play.
Transition to Seattle Sounders FC
Rusnák signed with Seattle in January 2022 after leaving Real Salt Lake. The Sounders brought him in as a Designated Player, counting on him to add creativity and stability in midfield.
By his third season, he had become central to the team’s attack, setting a club record with 19 assists in 2024 while also scoring 11 goals.
That season, his teammates voted him Sounders Team MVP, which speaks volumes about his influence across competitions.
He also helped Seattle win the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, appearing in every match of the tournament.
In January 2025, Seattle re-signed him through 2026 with an option for 2027. That move shows the club’s confidence in his long-term role.
At age 31, after stops at Manchester City’s academy and Groningen, he remains a key figure for both Seattle and Slovakia. He blends European training with MLS experience and keeps delivering consistent results.
If you want more details on Rusnák’s current contract and career stats, check out the Seattle Sounders official profile or his Transfermarkt player page.
Role and Influence at Seattle Sounders FC
Albert Rusnák has really become the steady hand in the middle of the field for Seattle Sounders FC. He adapts between deeper roles and more advanced attacking spots, giving the team flexibility.
His consistency on the ball helps balance possession and transition play.
Midfield Responsibilities
Rusnák does more than just act as a traditional playmaker. After he joined Seattle from Real Salt Lake, he shifted into a deeper role, often sitting next to João Paulo to control tempo.
This adjustment let the Sounders improve their possession game instead of just relying on counterattacks.
When you watch him, you’ll notice his value in the little things. He relieves pressure, makes the pass before the assist, and keeps the ball moving.
His passing accuracy consistently ranks among the best in MLS, which gives the backline—guys like Nouhou Tolo and Alex Roldan—more confidence to play out from the back.
He also fills in when Nicolás Lodeiro or others aren’t available. That versatility helps Seattle maintain shape and rhythm, even with lineup changes.
For a team that often rotates due to international duty and injuries, you can see how important that reliability is.
Offensive Contributions
Even when he drops deeper, Rusnák stays a scoring threat. In 2023, he set career highs in both goals and assists, finishing with 10 goals and 16 assists—tied for third in the league.
By 2024, he broke the club record for assists in all competitions with 19, and he added 11 goals.
| Season | Goals | Assists | MLS Ranking (Assists) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 6 | — |
| 2023 | 10 | 16 | 3rd |
| 2024 | 11 | 19 | Top 3 |
He has a knack for arriving late into the box, giving Seattle a second scoring option behind Raúl Ruidíaz. His vision opens lanes for Jordan Morris on the wing.
That balance between scoring and creating keeps him at the heart of the Sounders’ offensive attack.
Key Partnerships on the Field
Rusnák’s influence grows because he connects so well with teammates. Playing alongside João Paulo, he shares defensive duties while still pushing forward.
With Lodeiro, he forms a dual-playmaker setup that stretches defenses side to side.
Out wide, his passing frees Cristian Roldan and Jordan Morris in transition. Morris benefits from Rusnák’s ability to switch play quickly, and Cristian thrives on those well-timed through balls.
Even Alex Roldan overlaps more effectively when Rusnák pulls defenders inside.
These partnerships make him more of a connector than a solo star. His role keeps Seattle’s attack unpredictable, giving multiple players chances to finish moves.
If you’re watching, it’s pretty clear that his chemistry with teammates defines a lot of the Sounders’ success.
Performance in Recent Games
Albert Rusnák, who started at Manchester City’s academy and played at Groningen before joining MLS, has played a central role in Seattle’s recent matches. You see his influence not just through goals but also in how he controls tempo, creates chances, and stays calm in high-pressure moments.
Notable Matches and Goals
Rusnák has really stepped up when Seattle needed a scorer. Against Chicago Fire, he converted two penalty kicks, including one in stoppage time, to seal a 2-1 win at Lumen Field.
That performance showed his calm under pressure and his ability to handle the referee’s decisions—even after a quick VAR review confirmed the second penalty.
He made history against FC Dallas by scoring a late match-winning penalty in the 86th minute. That goal separated the teams in a tense 1-0 contest, proving how one composed strike can decide a whole game.
In another big match against Colorado Rapids, Rusnák scored twice and added an assist—all in the first half. The game ended 3-3, but his performance highlighted his knack for finding space and finishing chances.
Recent Goal Contributions
| Match | Goals | Assists | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs Chicago Fire | 2 | 0 | 2-1 Win |
| vs FC Dallas | 1 | 0 | 1-0 Win |
| vs Colorado Rapids | 2 | 1 | 3-3 Draw |
Assists and Playmaking
While his goals get attention, Rusnák’s passing is just as valuable. In the June win over Dallas, he recorded two assists, including a perfectly weighted through-ball that led to a penalty.
You can see how often he looks to release runners like Jordan Morris or Léo Chú into space, stretching defenses and creating scoring chances.
His set-piece delivery from corner kicks has also been reliable. Even when he doesn’t get credited with an assist, his service often starts the sequence that leads to goals.
Rusnák now has nine assists on the season, a number that shows his vision and ability to connect midfield to attack. His playmaking keeps Seattle’s attack balanced and unpredictable.
Disciplinary Records
For a midfielder who sees so much of the ball, Rusnák has kept a pretty clean record. He’s picked up only a handful of yellow cards this season, and most come from tactical fouls, not reckless challenges.
That restraint lets him stay available for selection during packed stretches of games.
Referees rarely caution him for dissent, and when VAR reviews happen, they usually involve penalty decisions, not misconduct. He keeps his cool when calls go against Seattle, so you don’t see him lose focus.
This consistency matters in a league where suspensions can mess with momentum. Rusnák’s ability to avoid unnecessary bookings helps keep him on the field, where Seattle needs him most.
Seattle Sounders FC: Team Dynamics
Seattle has built a team on balance, where player development, tactical flexibility, and the energy of the home crowd all matter. Depth across the roster and steady midfield play really shape how the Sounders compete each season.
Squad Overview
The Sounders lean on a mix of veterans and younger players. You’ll notice how Albert Rusnák, who came over from Real Salt Lake, brings creativity to the midfield. Jordan Morris adds pace and finishing up front.
Nouhou Tolo holds down the left side with his physical style. On the right, Alex Roldan whips in crosses and links up with his brother, Cristian Roldan, who bounces between midfield and wide roles.
The roster blends international talent with homegrown guys. That mix helps the team stay flexible through the long MLS season. Rusnák, who spent time in Manchester City’s academy before MLS, brings some European know-how to a squad that really values tactical structure.
Here’s a quick look at what key midfielders have done in 2024:
| Player | Goals | Assists | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Rusnák | 10 | 19 | 42 |
| Cristian Roldan | 4 | 6 | 30 |
| Jordan Morris | 11 | 3 | 34 |
Home Stadium: Lumen Field
Step into Lumen Field and you get why Seattle always ranks high in MLS attendance. The stadium, which they share with the Seahawks, can hold over 68,000 when it’s fully open.
Even with smaller setups for soccer, the crowd noise never lets up.
The turf really changes how the game moves. You’ll spot faster ball movement and players adjusting their footing a lot. Visiting teams often mention the atmosphere, with the Emerald City Supporters and the stadium’s shape making everything louder.
For someone like Rusnák, the place feels bigger than most MLS venues. Opponents don’t often deal with this kind of intensity unless it’s the playoffs.
Key Players and Lineups
Seattle usually switches between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3. You’ll see Rusnák at his best in the central attacking spot, linking midfield and attack. His passing and set pieces break down tight defenses.
Jordan Morris pushes back lines with direct runs. Cristian Roldan keeps things balanced, plugging gaps and pressing upfield. Alex Roldan adds width on the right, overlapping to swing in crosses. On the left, Nouhou Tolo defends hard but joins the attack when there’s room.
Depth really matters over the long haul. Players rotate in when the schedule gets packed, but the main group sets Seattle’s tone. With Rusnák’s vision, Morris’s finishing, and the Roldan brothers’ steady play, you get a lineup that mixes reliability with flashes of real quality.
Media and Image Resources
You’ll find a wide range of images and media showing Albert Rusnák’s time with Seattle Sounders FC. There are high-res stock photos, editorial match shots, and smaller downloads if you need to save space. Each type works best depending on your project.
Stock Images and Photos
You can grab plenty of stock images of Rusnák in action, usually snapped during MLS or international games. For example, you’ll find editorial shots like him taking a shot on goal against Santos Laguna on August 3, 2025, over at Alamy.
These photos often capture him in full kit, wearing number 11, and spotlight moments like celebrations, assists, or clever passes. Editorial licenses are the norm, so you can use them for news but not for ads.
If you want consistent quality, check Getty Images. They’ve got match-day shots, like his goal celebration at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Atlético de Madrid. These images are sharp, well-lit, and taken from all sorts of angles. They work great for both print and digital.
Vectors and Videos
You’ll also find vector graphics and video clips featuring Rusnák. Vectors for individual players are rare, but clubs sometimes drop stylized illustrations for promos. These files scale easily, so you can use them for posters, websites, or social media without losing quality.
Videos offer more action. You can watch match highlights, pressers, or media-day clips on sites like MLS Media Day portraits. These give you the stuff photos can’t—like his passing or positioning during big moments.
Always check the licensing. Some videos are ready to embed on your site, but others might need a purchase or subscription. It’s worth double-checking so you don’t run into copyright headaches.
Image Details and File Size
When you download images, keep an eye on resolution, size, and dimensions. A typical high-res match photo of Rusnák measures about 4000 x 2667 pixels and runs between 3 and 8 MB. That’s perfect for print, but it’s probably too big for quick web use.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Image Type | Resolution (px) | File Size (MB) | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial Photo | 4000 x 2667 | 3–8 MB | Print, magazines |
| Web-Optimized | 1200 x 800 | 0.5–1 MB | Online articles |
| Vector Graphic | Scalable | <1 MB | Posters, digital art |
Match your image to your platform. Smaller files load quickly on mobile, while bigger ones give you print clarity.
Compressed Download Options
If you want to balance quality with speed, compressed downloads really make the most sense. Most agencies let you pick between the original full-size files and compressed JPEG versions.
Compressed files usually land somewhere between 200 KB and 1 MB. That size works great for websites or social media—nobody wants to wait forever for a photo to load, right?
When you compress a file, you shrink it by lowering the resolution or trimming out data you probably don’t need. Sure, you might lose a bit of sharpness, but honestly, it’s hardly noticeable online. You’ll still capture Rusnák’s movements, expressions, and presence on the field—without clogging up your storage or dragging down your site’s speed.
If you’re tackling a big project, just grab both the full-res and compressed versions. That way, you can use the high-quality one for print and stick with the lighter file for online stuff.
Platforms like Getty and Alamy make it easy to choose these options at checkout, so you can find the right balance for whatever you’re working on.
