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Portland, Ore. • They stood a few feet beyond the 18-yard box, staring at the wall the Portland Timbers constructed to prevent the best possible path to goal.

Joao Plata and Albert Rusnák stared down at the ball, discussing whose shot it'd be, where to place it and, hopefully, pull Real Salt Lake level in Thursday's preseason match at Providence Park.

Rusnák eventually stayed back as Plata approached the free kick and dipped the ball perfectly over the wall and into the back of the net. The first there to congratulate the RSL striker? The club's newest attacking midfielder, Rusnák, the 22-year-old Slovakian Designated Player tasked to replace club legend Javier Morales.

"I'm not a guy to be selfish," Rusnák said.

As the year goes on, RSL might need the new presence to be more often. For now, it's about adjustment. It's knocking off the rust day-by-day to find the rhythm that first attracted RSL to the former FC Groningen midfielder. It's been less than two weeks since he packed up life in the Netherlands and set out for Tucson, Ariz., to join his new club.

He had to jog off the jet lag. Had to find the adequate sleep schedule. New RSL forward Chad Barrett said Rusnák "was running in water" the first few days during RSL's preseason stop in Arizona, but since has started to show his quality in each training session and preseason outing.

"I expect sparks early from him," Barrett said. "Not because of him being a DP, just because the type of person I've met. We're really just starting to see his skill and vision is a class above."

That's what RSL is betting on. That's what the club paid a reportedly hefty (yet undisclosed) transfer fee for. That's why they made Rusnák a Designated Player. The Slovakian international came up in the Manchester City youth system before moving on to clubs throughout England and the Netherlands. He became a cult hero at FC Groningen by scoring two goals in KNVB Cup final.

His preseason checklist includes finding his peak fitness level and playing simple. At the moment, he's out to avoid the "fancy stuff" and "risky things" in matches that could cost the team in possession. And prevent him from getting a whack by a defender.

"I want to get in a flow in the game," he said. "As I play more games, I'll kind of know what extras I have to do. The more games I will play, I will learn myself of what I need to bring to the team."

His No. 1 evaluator, Rusnák's father, is still reminding him of what can improve. He calls home before he turns in at whichever hotel RSL is staying at this preseason. And dad, a former player and scout, lets his son know what he needs to change before the next preseason match. Rusnák's father woke up at 4 a.m. to watch RSL's 3-3 draw against the Timbers.

Rusnák's also waiting for his slice of home to hop over the pond. His girlfriend and dog are expected to make the full-time move to Utah sometime before the season-opener March 4 against Toronto FC.

"All these things that make him happy at home will make him happy here," Barrett said. "We're going to have his back. Fans have to be patient if he doesn't do well in the beginning, but I don't think that's going to be the case. I think he's a very special player."

The signing changed the landscape of the franchise moving forward. Not only did Rusnák's arrival cement a new era after Morales moved on, but it also opened a new pipeline in Europe where RSL hopes to be much more active in future transfer windows. RSL coach Jeff Cassar is tempering expectations for now but is ready to be happily proven wrong as soon as possible.

"I don't think it's going to take him very long," Cassar said. "Now that doesn't mean he's going to blow it out of the water right away. Listen, we're not asking him to do that. We're just asking him to be the best Albert he can be for our team."

As for Rusnák's own estimated timeline for feeling at full strength?

"I think I'll be ready for the most important time," he said, "and that will be the fourth of March."

Twitter: @chriskamrani —

Albert Rusnák

Position • Midfielder

Age • 22

Acquired • Multiyear Designated Player contract Jan. 6

Club history • Real Salt Lake (2017), FC Groningen (2015-2016), SC Cambuur (2014), Birmingham City (2014), Oldham Athletic (2014), Manchester City (2013-2015)

Stats • 12 goals in 76 appearances at FC Groningen, including two in KNVB Final