In a remarkable performance, Albert Rusnák of the Seattle Sounders FC has been named the MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra for Matchday 31. The midfielder scored his first career hat-trick, propelling the Sounders to a commanding 4-0 victory over 10-man Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. Rusnák's impressive display now sees him boasting a tally of 8 goals and 12 assists for the season, making him just the fifth player in club history to achieve at least 20 goal contributions in a single campaign, alongside the likes of Clint Dempsey, Nicolás Lodeiro, Obafemi Martins, and Fredy Montero.

This accolade marks Rusnák's second MLS Player of the Matchday award in 2024, adding to his previous honor in 2017 while playing for Real Salt Lake. The Sounders are set to face off against Sporting Kansas City in their upcoming match on Sunday at Lumen Field. The MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra is chosen through a combination of media and fan voting, with members of the North American Soccer Reporters accounting for 75% of the vote and fans contributing the remaining 25%.

The news of Rusnák's recognition sparked various reactions on social media, with fans celebrating his incredible hat-trick and performance. Some users also weighed in on the criteria for selecting the Player of the Matchday, while others shared light-hearted banter and memes related to the announcement.

Stay tuned for more updates on MLS action and player achievements.

By MLSsoccer staff.