So much for an Emirates Cup bump!

A weary, befuddled New York Red Bulls side dropped a decisive 2-0 decision against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto. A frustrated Thierry Henry watched on in disgust as the Red Bulls failed to keep possession and create danger against a superior RSL side.

The Red Bulls would be without Dane Richards, who was not available thanks to his red card against FC Dallas. Teemu Tainio was also a late scratch, suffering from flu like symptoms.

Real Salt Lake gave New York a taste of it’s own medicine early and often, keeping possession of the ball for long stretches of time while they searched and prodded for a way into the back of the net. A sluggish Red Bull side would do little to oppose. With pressure on high, a corner kick once again doomed New York. US. National team call up Kyle Beckerman sent service into the box that found a charging Nat Borchers, who did his part in nailing in Salt Lake’s first tally of the evening.

Red Bull did little to press the issue against RSL, managing a single shot on goal for the half. As for RSL, they were not done. 17 year old starter Luis Gil took advantage of a discombobulated McCarty/Ballouchy midfield and a screen in the box with a beautifully placed shot that beat Frank Rost for the RSL’s second tally.

Hans Backe would open the second half with a pair of substitution’s. Stephen Keel came in for Dax McCarty and an injured Rost made way for Bouna Coundoul. Rost, as you may recall, strained his leg on the airplane ride back from London this week. He appeared to re-aggravate the problem. The changes would mean a return for Marquez to the midfield, with Keel and Ream shoring up the backline.

Backe’s changes yielded little success for the side to start the half, but would steadily pick up steam as the minutes passed. Just as momentum appeared to swing back in New York’s direction, Jan Gunnar Solli re-aggravated his leg injury, and a change was forced, bringing John Rooney into the fold. Minutes later, Roy Miller would be called for an obvious hand ball in the box. That would be all RSL needed to seal the game. Alvaro Saborio lined up at the spot and nailed home RSL’s third, and decisive goal.

RSL’s scoring drought may be over, but the Red Bulls struggles continue. Their last win came exactly one month ago today, July 6th against Toronto F.C.. The club has only been able to win two games over the past three months, and the playoff’s may be in danger. New York looks to pick up the pieces this Saturday when they travel back home to host the Chicago Fire.