Albert Rusnák had never scored a hat trick in his professional career before Saturday. He’ll likely never score one quite like it again.
A strange turn of events led to the Columbus Crew playing without a natural goalkeeper for more than 45 minutes. The Seattle Sounders took advantage in a 4-0 romp at Lower.com Field.
“It was massive for us to come here and get three points,” said Jordan Morris, who scored the other Rave Green goal that pushed Seattle into fifth place in the Western Conference.
Game-changing moment
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, everything changed in first-half stoppage time when the Crew’s only available goalkeeper, Abraham Romero, crashed into Morris outside the box — picking up a red card.
With regulars Patrick Schulte and Nicholas Hagen away on international duty, the Crew had only Romero available at keeper. Manager Wilfried Nancy chose center back Sean Zawadzki to strap on gloves and try to preserve a result.
“I mean, it's a completely uncomfortable situation for me, and don't really know what to do in a situation obviously," Zawadzki said post-match. "So, it's maybe, I think, coming into the game, just trust the ball and protect that side where it goes, I think is the best thing I could have done, maybe.
"But kind of all I can say on it, because I have no experience with it at all.”
Even the Crew, winners of eight straight games in all competitions, couldn’t overcome such a handicap.
The Sounders were pleased with their effort regardless of the circumstances.
“We play what's in front of us,” coach Brian Schmetzer said. “The chances we created, the way we defended — [we] did a professional job.”
Rusnák, Sounders take control
Zawadzki, thrust into the keeper job as Rusnák stood over a free kick, failed to preserve a clean sheet any longer than one kick of the ball. Rusnák slotted the free kick into the bottom corner.
“I felt a little bit more pressure taking the free kick than if an actual goalkeeper was in goal,” Rusnák admitted. “I kind of felt like I had to score — it’s an outfield player.
“It wasn't fair for him to go in goal, but it was the only solution they had.”
The Sounders kept the pressure on in the second half. With the Crew pushing to equalize, the Sounders searched for opportunities to pepper the inexperienced keeper. Morris all but secured the result in the 60th-minute, sliding home Seattle’s second on a well-executed counter attack.
"It really calmed the game down for us,” Rusnák said.
Rusnák scored twice more to grab his unusual hat trick and solidify a wacky blowout. They executed Schmetzer's uncomplicated halftime gameplan: shoot the ball on goal.
“You play who's in front of you,” Schmetzer said. “I thought our players were very professional and did their jobs.”
The win snapped a two-game goalless skid for the Sounders. Whatever the circumstances, hanging four on the Crew is no easy feat. Schmetzer noted that he felt confident in their first half performance, prior to Romero’s red card.
“Even before the red card, our tactics were working. Our defending was good, compact. We had the better chances before the red card.”
Playoff implications
The Crew’s run of good form, meanwhile, came to an abrupt end. They sit ten points back of Inter Miami, who did not play this weekend, in the Supporters’ Shield race, and face an uphill climb to get back in the chase.
The Sounders now kick off a run of games against Western Conference opponents as they look to secure Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs positioning.
“Whatever way it happened, it doesn't matter,” Rusnák said. “This time of year, it's about collecting points.”
