Penalty Kicks Gives Red Bulls Stoppage Time Win Over Real Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake was outplayed but nearly came away with a point until a late penalty kick lifted New York to a 2-1 win.

Real Salt Lake (9-12-4, 24 points) traveled to the Empire State to face the New York Red Bulls (10-10-6, 36 points) on Sunday, August 10.

Final score on the road #RBNYvRSL | @SelectHealth pic.twitter.com/VDoc442sqg

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 11, 2025

Zavier Gozo scored for RSL. Eric Maxim Choupa-Moting scored both goals for the Red Bulls.

First Half

RSL shot out of the gates like a rocket, grabbing a one-goal lead when Diego Luna, William Agada, and Zavier Gozo combined for a thrilling, third-minute strike.

Luna split two defenders with a pass from midfield to Agada, sprinting down the left side. Agada made a perfectly placed one-touch pass across the box that Gozo banged off the New York goalkeeper for his fourth score of the year.

RELATED: Zavier Gozo Stakes Real Salt Lake To Lead With Third-Minute Goal

Luna and Agada with a wonderful set up for Zavier Gozo as @realsaltlake starts quick and fast against @NewYorkRedBulls #RSL | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/AW2naSy9jh

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) August 10, 2025

Both teams settled in after the sudden goal, with New York controlling possession while down a goal.

A combined 15 fouls and one yellow on the Red Bulls’ Alexander Hack made for an uninspiring brand of play in the opening 45 minutes.

New York ended the half with 14 shot attempts compared to three for the visitors. Despite the heavy shot advantage, both teams closed with two shots on frame.

Second Half

The Red Bulls’ attack continued in the second half as they forced Rafael Cabral to make two sprawling saves moments into the period.

New York broke through in the 52nd minute when Emil Forsberg assisted Eric Choupo-Moting to even the match at one.

Forsberg –> Choupo-Moting

These two always making things happen for @NewYorkRedBulls. pic.twitter.com/wErcO6vn6S

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 10, 2025

Pablo Ruiz and newcomer Rwan Cruz gave RSL some fresh legs in the 64th minute. They replaced Braian Ojeda and Agada.

Real Salt Lake struggled to generate consistent possession, forcing them to play on the defensive for most of the match.

It looked like the Claret & Cobalt may hang on for the draw, but a tripping penalty in the box whistled on Brayan Vera set up a penalty kick for New York in the 83rd minute.

Choupa-Moting took the PK and sent a ball directly at Cabral, who easily corralled the shot, almost without moving.

Luna received a yellow after the VAR review and then moments later picks up a second yellow and is sent off.

RSL reduced to 10#RSL

— RSL Show on KSL 🎙️⚡️ (@rslshow) August 10, 2025

Seconds later, Diego Luna picked up a red card for his second yellow after being dragged to the ground by a Red Bulls defender.

A VAR review revealed the headlock, causing New York’s Kyle Duncan to be sent off with a straight red for violent conduct.

A second penalty kick was awarded to New York in stoppage time when Justen Glad was called for a hold in the box, giving Choupa-Moting another chance. The experience goal-scorer tallied his second of the night to give the Red Bulls a 2-1 lead.

RSL fell to with the loss.

How To Watch Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake heads to North Carolina for a date with Charlotte FC on Saturday, August 16. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. MT.

All Major League Soccer games are broadcast on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.

All Real Salt Lake English-language radio coverage for the 2024 season and beyond will be carried on various KSL radio signals. KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL Newsradio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) are both stations under the Bonneville International umbrella.

For more Real Salt Lake coverage and analysis, subscribe to The RSL Show and follow them on Instagram. 

You can find KSL Sports coverage of Real Salt Lake here.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio and video and stay updated on all your favorite teams.

Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24. 

Follow @bpreece24