SEATTLE– How times have changed.
Last season the Seattle Sounders casually disposed of New York City FC 3-1 on the road, with Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey scoring all three Seattle goals. Martins is in China now, Dempsey is with the United States Men’s National Team, and NYCFC posted a convincing 2-0 win in front of 47,537 at CenturyLink Field on Saturday afternoon.
NYCFC (6-5-6, 24 points) has now won back-to-back matches in a topsy-turvy season that has already seen the second-year franchise endure a seven game winless stretch and post a three game winning streak.
The Sounders (5-9-1, 16 points), on the other hand, have lost two straight and five of their last six matches.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring with a controversial goal in the 38th minute, redirecting an R. J. Allen cross into the net. Replays seemed to show the pass hit Lampard’s wrist.
Defender Ronald Mattarita capped the scoring in the 87th minute, as NYCFC converted a horrific Joevin Jones turnover into an insurance goal. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei deflected an initial shot, but was helpless on the rebound.
The Sounders created more than enough opportunities coming out of the midfield, but attack after attack foundered in the final third for a team that looked at a loss for either ideas or confidence.
Looking forward, both teams are back in action next weekend. The Sounders visit Toronto FC (5-5-4, 19 points), while NYCFC hosts the Red Bulls (7-8-1, 22 points).
Man of the Match
Lampard. Hand ball or not, the Englishman scored the deciding goal in the match, his second of the season and his second in two matches. If NYCFC is going to reach the playoffs in its second season, a turnaround from Lampard will be key.
Moment of the Match
The moment Allen’s cross hit Lampard’s wrist. The Sounders started brightly, but a team struggling for any sort of result was visibly deflated after falling down 1-0.
Match to Forget
Dylan Remick. He wasn’t responsible for either goal, but struggled getting forward and got lost repeatedly on defense in the second half, getting pulled before the hour mark.