SEATTLE - Frank Lampard scored his second goal in as many games for NYCFC on Saturday, but as with a number of topics involving the former England international’s brief time in MLS, it didn’t come without controversy.
Lampard redirected a cross from defender Ronald Matarrita in the 38th minute for the game’s crucial first goal, a play that looked on replays as if Lampard had steered the ball into the goal with his left hand.
As Sounders players howled for a call that would nullify the play, head referee Alan Kelly consulted with his assistant referee and ultimately decided the goal would count. Matarrita added a goal late in the second half to punctuate the visitors’ 2-0 win.
Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, however, made no mistake about his assessment of Lampard’s goal, which put the Sounders in a hole from which they could never escape.
“The first goal is a handball goal,” Schmid said. “But that’s just the way it’s been going. We’ve got to find a way to find our own luck, and we’ve got to find a way to pull ourselves up.”
Sounders defender Tyrone Mears was covering Lampard on the play and also questioned the validity of the goal.
“I thought he touched it with his hand,” Mears said. “But it was a difficult decision for the referee. But at the minute those decisions aren’t going for us.”
Kelly, for his part, provided a written response to reporters at CenturyLink Field about the call.
“Did you or the fourth official witness Frank Lampard’s hand making contact with the ball in the sequence to his goal?” Kelly was asked.
His response: “No.”
Said Lampard: "Yeah, it wasn't the most beautiful goal. It came off my chest."
