Photos by Max Aquino and Matthew Warso, Captions by Toby Dunkelberg
A struggling Seattle Sounders and Emerald City Supporters welcomed New York City FC to a sunny CenturyLink Field amid Pride weekend celebrations. An even keeled match turned ugly for the homeside as they failed to score while letting in two.
For just the second time this season NYCFC started Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa together. The three DP’s were a integral part NYC’s success as their quick decisive passing made things difficult for the Seattle backline.
Both sides trade early chances as Villas forced Sounder goalie Stefan Frei into a diving save just minutes after Jordan Morris just barely missed getting on the end of an Aaron Kovar cross.
It continued to be a pretty even match as the game opened up after the 15 minute mark. NYC looked more dangerous near goal while the Sounders looked toothless never getting into very threatening positions.
NYC get the opening goal off in the 38th minutes. Andrea Pirlo’s corner gets recirculated by RJ Allen. Frank Lampard chested it in for his second goal in as many games.
After the initial ruling the officials met on the sideline to discuss whether or not Lampard handled the ball as the replays showed. But the eventual ruling stood despite protests from the Sounders and the crowd.
The second half started much the same before Sigi Schmid opted to make a rare (for him) early offensive substitute in the 57th minute, bringing on Nelson Valdez. He was followed by Cristian Roldan and Oalex Anderson ten and then twenty minutes later as Seattle chased the game.
The Sounders continued to push for the equalizer but NYCFC remained comfortable in possession. Iraola, Harrison and McNamara worked tirelessly to break up Seattle’s possession in the middle forcing them to instead opt out wide and over the top to little success.
NYCFC sealed it late with another goal. Frei was forced off his line to byDavid Villa who somehow found was left all himself in the box. Although his initial effort was parried away, Ronald Matarrita gathered it punched it into the empty net.
The match ended without much further fanfare. NYCFC comfortably defended while Seattle desperately tried to launch balls over the top to no avail. With their second straight win NYCFC continues their run of good form on the road, happy with the three points but ecstatic about the clean sheet.
Meanwhile the Sounders, with their six loss in their last seven games, are once again left facing the sad truth that if they continue their poor form they’ll miss the MLS playoffs for the first time in MLS history.
