RSL slips out of playoff position with the loss.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake beach coach Pablo Mastroeni during an MLS soccer match against LA Galaxy on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Sandy Utah.
Real Salt Lake made a painful return to its Major League Soccer schedule on Sunday, falling to the host New York Red Bulls 2-1 on a 99th-minute penalty kick.
RSL, coming off three Leagues Cup games against Mexican clubs, took a 1-0 lead in the game’s third minute on a goal from Zavier Gozo, with an assist from William Agada.
New York’s Eric Choupo-Moting scored an equalizer in the 52nd minute, and also scored the decisive penalty kick, after RSL defender Justen Glad was called for a hold in the box.
RSL fell to 9-12-4 with the loss, slipping into 10th place in the Western Conference, one spot out of playoff position. New York improved to 10-10-6, and sits in 10th place in the East.
New York had a 24-7 advantage in shots in the game, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral made five saves, while New York’s AJ Marcucci made two.
RSL is scheduled to return to action Saturday, Aug. 16, at Charlotte (5:30 p.m. MDT, Apple TV).