Over the last week three Real Salt Lake players were called into their respective national team camps for World Cup qualifying matches. From Slovakia to Venezuela and the United States, here is how the three RSL men faired in international competition:
Nick Rimando: Did not feature in the U.S. games against Costa Rica and Honduras, but remained a consistent veteran presence in Head Coach Bruce Arena’s camp. The U.S. National team is in fourth place in the Hexagonal CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament with two games remaining.
Albert Rusnák: Featuring in both qualifying matches for Slovakia over the break, Rusnák came on as a substitute on September 1 against Slovenia playing the last 35 minutes of the team’s 1-0 win. On Monday the first-year RSL midfielder entered the match in the second half of Slovakia’s 2-1 loss against England at historic Wembley Stadium, playing the final 22 minutes in defeat. Slovakia currently sits second only behind England in Group F of UEFA’s World Cup Qualifying with two matches remaining.
Jefferson Savarino: After making his international debut on June 3 in a friendly match against the U.S. National Team at Rio Tinto Stadium, the 20-year-old RSL winger was in the 18-man roster for Venezuela’s match against Colombia on August 31, but didn’t see action off the bench for La Vinotinto’s 0-0 draw. On Tuesday, Venezuela squared off against Lionel Messi and Argentina but Savarino was not in the side as his team earned a 1-1 draw with the world power in Argentina. Venezuela has been eliminated from World Cup contention and currently sits at 1-10-5 in the CONMEBOL tournament.
