If you’re debating whether Albert Rusnák was given easy goals, check his highlight reel. The midfielder had a hat trick to give the Sounders a 4-0 win against Columbus on Saturday at Lower.com Field.
The beauty was the opening goal in first-half stoppage time. Rusnák lined up for a free kick outside the box and hooked a shot that nestled into the net. He bagged a similar goal in a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in May.
The difference Saturday was with Crew field player Sean Zawadski in goal, not an experienced keeper. Setting up the wall for the free kick was Zawadski’s first duty of the match after keeper Abraham Romero, who was acquired last month from Los Angeles FC and was making his first MLS start and debut for the Crew, was shown a red card for a foul on Jordan Morris. “I felt a little bit more pressure taking the free kick than if an actual goalkeeper was in goal because you have to score, it’s an outfield player,” Rusnák said.
“I did hit it with a decent amount of pace. That’s for people to speculate whether if there was a goalie that would save it or not. “At the end of the day, we tried to come here for the three points.
After the LAFC [U.S. Open Cup semifinals] and Portland [MLS] losses, it was important for us to get the result.
Whatever way it would’ve happened — 1-0, 4-0 — it doesn’t matter. At this time of year, it’s about collecting points.” The Crew opted not to sign a backup goalkeeper for Saturday’s game despite missing.