Controversial Lampard goal lifts New York City FC over slumping Sounders

LOS ANGELES - A controversial goal by Frank Lampard and a key mistake by the Seattle Sounders lifted New York City FC to a 2-0 victory at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.

Former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard scored in the 38th minute as a corner kick by Andrea Pirlo was cleared away from the goalmouth but not from the area.

Lampard, inside the six-yard box, chested the ball off a resulting cross by R.J. Allen 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 minute to double the score, lofting a pass from Mikey Lopez past the 'keeper, who had come out to challenge David Villa.

New York City FC notched its fourth away win of the season and took sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference, just two points behind the Philadelphia Union.

The Sounders, meanwhile, have lost five of its last six matches and are languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference.

The Sounders were without Clint Dempsey, who remained with the United States men's national team for a Copa America third-place loss against Colombia.