It’s early in the season, but to be honest it’s never too early to have a big tilt for first place in the east as well as a quick leap in the table for the Supporters Shield. Traveling down to PPL Park, the New York Red Bulls faced the Philadelphia Union. And while there was domination of possession from the Red Bull New York, sadly they lost the battle on the scoreboard.

After making their first substitution in the second half, that’s when it came crashing down for New York. In the sixty eighth minute, the Union’s Roger Torres subbed in for Carlos Ruiz. And Luke Rogers subbed into the match for Dane Richards. After play resumed Teemu Tainio passed to Tim Ream and all of a sudden Ream coughed up the ball to Danny Mwanga and it was a quick two on one. Torres was just on-side and he buried his first goal of the season into the back of the net.

After all that it was tough defense for the Union and Faryd Mondragon really didn’t have to make any big saves to keep the clean sheet victory. After the Red Bulls coughed up the goal, not once did they really threaten the Union’s net. After surviving the first fifteen minutes of the first half they looked dangerous going forward. Twice Juan Agudelo nailed the woodwork as he snuck a shot through the defenders and somehow hit the far post in the 21st minute. Then ten minutes later Agudelo got a great long ball from Joel Lindpere and fought off the defender attacking the net. His shot beat Mondragon, but nailed the crossbar.

Once again possession wasn’t the problem for the Red Bulls. Their inept ability to convert in the final third was alarming and right now it’s not looking good for the club that already has a giant microscope of famous international and MLS talent that needs to quickly shake off this bad performance and get ready for their next home game against the San Jose Earthquakes.

But give the Philadelphia Union credit after coming off a loss in penalties against DC United in a mid-week match-up in US Open Cup Qualifying. Using most of their starters and everyone questioning head coach Peter Nowak on why he would do this. Carlos Ruiz saw the tape of Bouna Coundoul coming off his line and allowing a goal on the Dynamo. He tried two separate long distance shots from midfield. One was a very high shot that went over the crossbar and a low long rip that was gobbled up.

Many questions are going to be aimed at Thierry Henry. Two goals scored in only a handful of games that includes last season after the summer transfer window. Yes the goals have to come from somewhere and bringing over Dwayne De Rosario is the final part of the puzzle, but it’s going to have to start clicking very soon and quickly before many will be screaming for a refund.