SANDY, Utah (Thursday, August 24, 2017) – Real Salt Lake MF Albert Rusnák and FW Jefferson Savarino have been called in by their respective national teams for 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches next week. Both players will remain with RSL through the Rocky Mountain Cup match on Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.
“We’re happy for both players. They are very deserving of these opportunities with bright futures ahead of them domestically and internationally,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said.
Rusnák, 23, has three caps for Slovakia and featured prominently in his country’s strong showing in the 2017 UEFA U-21 Championships earlier this year. The first-year midfielder has six goals and 10 assists in 23 matches for RSL this season.
Slovakia will host Slovenia on September 1, then face England at Wembley Stadium on September 5. Slovakia is currently second in Group F of UEFA’s World Cup Qualifying with a 4-2-0 record (12 points), trailing only England (4-0-2, 14 points) with four matches remaining in the Group Stage. The top finisher will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, while the second-place finisher will have a chance to advance to the second round of qualification.
Savarino, 20, made his international debut on June 3 in a friendly against the U.S. National Team at Rio Tinto Stadium. Since joining RSL in May, he has three goals and three assists in 15 matches. RSL is 6-4-3 with the dynamic winger in the starting lineup.
Venezuela will host Colombia on August 31 and then meet Argentina on the road on September 5. Venezuela has been eliminated from 2018 World Cup contention at 1-10-3 (6 points) with four matches remaining in the CONMEBOL tournament.
Both players are expected to return ahead of Real Salt Lake’s match on September 9 on the road against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
