Michael M cLoone
HB Køge had tried to acquire RailHawks defender Brad Rusin, center, last year, but a deal could not be reached.
Brad Rusin has had quite an eventful week.
Sunday, the Carolina RailHawks defender and captain led his team to its 10th straight win, a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Impact. Spearheading a defensive effort in which the first-place RailHawks (12-1-1) allowed Montreal just three shots on goal, he was named the NASL Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season.
Rusin's play drew attention far beyond the RailHawks' home at WakeMed Soccer Park. Wednesday, it was announced that the 6-foot-4 UCLA graduate had signed a long-anticipated three-year deal with Danish Superliga club HB Køge.
"I would like to thank all of my teammates and coaches, past and present, for making this opportunity a reality," Rusin said in a statement released Friday by the RailHawks. "I [also] want to thank the fans for such quality support throughout my time in Carolina. You guys deserve nothing less than a championship this year, and I know the guys will get it done."
The amount of money exchanged for the rights to Rusin was not released.
HB Køge had tried to acquire Rusin through a transfer last year, but a deal could not be reached before the transfer window closed in August. Rusin remained with the RailHawks, and he ended up being a key part of the team's postseason run last year, playing all but two minutes in six games.
"Brad's an extremely talented player," RailHawks coach Martin Rennie said. "He's played great for us."
The team resumes play today, without Rusin, on the road against the NSC Minnesota Stars (8:30 p.m.).
Before this season, Rusin was awarded the captain's armband. In response, he helped the RailHawks post five shutouts en route to compiling a league-leading 0.786 goals-against average.
Now, the RailHawks will try to continue their extraordinary season without him.
Even before Rusin's transfer, defensive depth was the team's one arguable weakness. Now the RailHawks have only four true defenders on the roster, including first-year professionals Cory Miller and Kyle Schmid. But Rennie said he's confident that the squad won't miss a beat.
"We have lots of leaders on this team," Rennie said. "This is an opportunity for others to step up, and I'm confident they will."
Rusin's replacement as team captain will be midfielder Kupono Low, the franchise's sole remaining player from the team's 2007 inaugural season. Coincidentally, Low scored the franchise's first goal.
From a tactical standpoint, Rennie expects a bevy of players to compete to occupy the hole in the central defense left by Rusin's departure.
"Different guys step up for us each week," Rennie said. "We've lost lots of different players due to injuries and suspensions, but we've always found a way to keep going."
The RailHawks, who employ a 3-5-2 formation, will have to find someone to play alongside starting defenders John Krause and Devon McKenney. Whether it's Miller, Schmid or someone else, don't expect Rennie to lower his expectations for the team.
"We're focusing on continuing to build the team," Rennie said. "We're still developing."
The RailHawks' next home game is at 7 p.m. July 23 against FC Edmonton.
