RENTON – Mired in a franchise-record seven-game losing streak, Albert Rusnák is painfully aware that talk of a turnaround is cheap.
Asked what message he’d like to send to fans as the Sounders return home to face Liga MX side Querétaro in Leagues Cup play on Sunday, Rusnák said “Honestly, nothing.”
“We have to first put in a performance that is worthwhile and how we played at the start of the season,” he continued. “Once we do that and we get another win, when we get sort of a streak going, then we can talk.
“I feel like if you’re in this kind of hole, like we are right now, no matter what we say, it can get – you know, you guys can pick certain words from the sentence and you can turn it around, make it your own. I don’t think there is anything that we should say right now, other than go out there and win the games more.”
As the Sounders’ only healthy Designated Player, Rusnák is also aware that he should be doing more to help lift his team out of this funk. The midfielder has just one assist over the last seven games, having last scored a goal in the Sounders’ 3–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes that immediately preceded the losing streak.
“When you have a whole team that’s kind of struggling, it is up to certain individuals like myself to try and lift the team and provide a spark or a difference-maker moment,” Rusnák said. “In all honesty, that has not happened in the last few games.”
One variable that could help change things is that this game will be played at home after the last four were on the road. Prior to this losing streak, the Sounders had been on a 22-game home unbeaten run that lasted almost a full calendar year. This year, the Sounders started 6–0–1 at Lumen Field with largely the same group of players who will face Querétaro.
“It’s been a while since we played at home,” he said. “It’s important for us to keep the fans engaged. I don’t want to say give them hope, but just reassure them that we are still the same team that started the season in a winning fashion, playing well and it’s the same group of players. We’re really excited to play at home.”
Pedro returns
One good bit of news is that Pedro de la Vega is expected to be available off the bench, the first time that's happened since he broke his knee cap in the final regular-season game last year.
"I’m going to try my darndest to get him on the field," Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said.
