Rusnak, Johnson Called Into National Team Duties

Mar 15, 2019, 2:59 PM

Courtesy of RSL

KSL Sports

SANDY, Utah – Last week it was announced that Real Salt Lake’s Corey Baird will represent the US Men’s National Team for friendlies against Ecuador and Chile on March 21st and March 26th, respectively.

On Friday manager Mike Petke and RSL were notified that they will also be without Albert Rusnak and Sam Johnson due to national team call ups.

As a result, all three, Baird, Rusnak and Johnson will all be unavailable for the Real Salt Lake at LAFC game on March 23rd.

Albert Rusnak

Rusnak has, once again, been called up to the Slovakian National Team for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Hungary and Wales.

He will separate from RSL after the upcoming game against DC United and will return for the next home game against FC Dallas on March 30th. He will not be available for selection for the March 23rd meeting with LAFC at Banc of California Stadium.

Rusnak has scored four goals in 17 appearances for Slovakia with 16 of the 17 appearances coming whilst he has been in Utah.

“Albert is a mainstay with the Slovakian National Team so I always know he’s going to get called up,” Petke said. “It’s fully deserved and I’m happy and proud of Albert.”

Attaboy 👏

📝: https://t.co/O6kbv6JOdS pic.twitter.com/HMbG7RNiO5

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 15, 2019

Sam Johnson

Real Salt Lake will also be without Johnson for their crucial western conference match against LAFC on March 23rd. Johnson was called up to the Liberian national team for their African Cup of Nations qualifying game against the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 24th.

Like Rusnak, Johnson will leave RSL after their upcoming game against DC United in Washington.

In his career, Johnson has scored 2 goals in 11 appearances for the Liberian national team.

Last week, Corey Baird was called into US national team duties and will also miss the LAFC encounter on March 24th.

A headache awaits Mike Petke as he must decide on what to do at the striker position during their one game absences.

“I’m very happy that Sam’s getting called in,” Petke said. He’s still getting acclimated here with his teammates and with the league. The times that he has been on the field, he’s produced for us in many ways and I know he’s important to his national team.”