Los Angeles (AFP) – A controversial goal by Frank Lampard and a key mistake by Seattle lifted New York City FC to a 2-0 Major League Soccer victory over the Sounders in Seattle.
Former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard on Saturday scored in the 38th minute. A corner kick by New York’s Andrea Pirlo was cleared away from the goalmouth but not from the area and RJ Allen sent it back.
Lampard, inside the six-yard box, chested the ball to the ground and into the net — but Sounders keeper Stefan Frei immediately protested and video replay showed the ball bounced off Lampard’s left hand.
After extended discussion, the goal stood to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
“Yeah, it wasn’t the most beautiful goal. It came off my chest,” Lampard said.
Sounders coach Sigi Schmid, however, said in his view it was a “handball goal”.
“But that’s just the way it’s been going,” Schmid said. “We’ve got to find a way to find our own luck, and we’ve got to find a way to pull ourselves up.”
Ronald Matarrita capitalized on Frei’s error in the 86th to double the score, lofting a pass from Mikey Lopez past Frei who had come out to challenge David Villa.
New York City FC notched their fourth away win of the season. They took sole possession of second place, just two points behind Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia.
The Sounders, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six matches and are languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference.
The Sounders were playing without standout Clint Dempsey, who remained with the USA for the Copa American third-place playoff against Colombia.
