Disputed goal hurts Sounders in 2-0 loss to NYCFC

After losing to the Red Bulls last weekend, the Sounders hoped to get a better result against New York’s other club on Saturday. As NYCFC rode into town high off its win against Philadelphia with all three Designated Players in tow, a disputed goal by Frank Lampard put the away side ahead in the first half, and the Sounders never got back into it as they limped to a 2-0 home loss.

The first half started brightly for Seattle, with a couple of golden chances barely missing the mark. Jordan Morris was the spearhead for multiple attacks, but for a variety of reasons he was unable to do anything with them.

Davis: Loss underscores Sounders’ issues on offense, need for help

NYC didn’t see too many opportunities come its way early, but it started to knock at the door later in the half. This culminated in a very controversial goal by Lampard. Replays showed that he hit the ball with his wrist on its way into the net. This infuriated coach Sigi Schmid and the Sounders’ bench, but even after discussion, referee Alan Kelly decided to award the goal.

NYC nearly had another one via own goal after the smoke cleared, but it was knocked over the goal by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei. The half ended 1-0 thanks to the lone, contentious goal decision.

Despite being down a goal, the Sounders made no changes to start the second half. It didn’t look to be a problem early as Morris jumped on another great chance but put it just wide. NYC had a chance immediately afterwards, but it was the last big event of the opening 20 minutes or so of the half.

Seattle tried to change things up a bit by bringing Nelson Valdez on for Dylan Remick (pushing Joevin Jones back to his standard left-back position), and later Cristian Roldan for Aaron Kovar. Things picked up a little when Andreas Ivanschitz nearly snuck the ball into the net on a free kick, but it went just wide.

Seattle’s final substitution was Oalex Anderson for Ivanschitz late in the half, Schmid’s way of throwing nearly everything he has to try and snatch a point from the match. All of that pressing turned out to be Seattle’s downfall after a poor backpass by Jones was intercepted by David Villa near the top of Seattle’s box. Frei managed to knock the ball away from Villa, but it fell right to NYC’s Ronald Matarrita, who slammed the ball into a fairly open Seattle net.

Man of the match: Frei kept the match from getting out of reach at times, but even a handful of great saves wasn’t enough.

Turning point: The poor call on Lampard’s goal changed the game, and the referees will surely be ashamed to see the replays.

One reason to worry: This was a game Seattle really should have won, and this is just another nail in the coffin of its season.

One reason to relax: Clint Dempsey could return in solid form, and if Seattle’s lucky he will translate it well to his club.

Spenser Davis also covers the Sounders for Sounder at Heart.