Sounders FC loses again to Chivas USA

CARSON, Calif. — The lyrics of the Mexican classic that serenaded Sounders FC Saturday night after its 1-0 loss to Chivas USA could hardly have been more appropriate.

"Y mi palabra es, la ley." Translation: "And my word is the law."

Referee Kevin Stott's words — and cards — were the law Saturday night at the Home Depot Center. Sounders FC will have to live with the consequences of two yellow cards to starting forward Nate Jaqua and one to starting defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, which cost the Rave Green both players for next week's home match against San Jose.

The two cautions in one game was an automatic red card ejection for Jaqua. Hurtado picked up his fifth caution of the season — for a reckless tackle — and by Major League Soccer rule, is suspended for his next match.

"I can't even say anything," said a seething Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid, whose team controlled play for the most part. "I think we've said enough, and I think the proof is in the pudding, that's why we're getting cards."

The recurring theme for Sounders FC is that it feels referees have been too quick with the cards against the team, but that Seattle's lack of composure at times has contributed to five red cards and a sixth suspension for too many yellows.

"Some of it is bad luck, some of it is stupidity," goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. "It's something that Sigi's going to go absolutely nuts [about]. I'm not looking forward to that. It's one of those things we have to get better at it because first of all, we can't afford to be playing down a man, and second of all, lose guys for the next game. We've got to clean it up."

These weren't the same teams that first met as the top two in Major League Soccer on April 18, thanks to injuries and absences. But the result was the same Saturday night, even though Seattle played much better the second time.

The loss ended a streak of six games without a loss. The last team to defeat Seattle was Chivas on April 18.

Since then, Sounders FC had one win and five draws. And now, a loss, dropping it to 4-3-5 as Eduardo Lillingston finished a rebound shot in the 38th minute for Chivas for the game's only goal.

Seattle made a lineup change just before the game, starting Stephen King at center midfielder for Peter Vagenas, who felt pain in his right ankle during pregame warmups and didn't play. Vagenas was Osvaldo Alonso's replacement.

Jaqua had two goals and two assists in the past four Sounders FC games before Saturday. His second yellow came when he tackled Chivas USA's Paulo Nagamura in the 88th minute, and it was ruled a hard foul. This was after Hurtado got his head on a free kick from Freddie Ljungberg but knocked the ball over the goal on what was Sounders FC's best chance among several on the night to score.

Jaqua had hoped to get a warning from Stott, being as Sounders FC was trying to maintain possession trailing late. "But I have to be smarter not to even put myself in those situations where I can be thrown out of the game," he said.

The loss dropped Sounders FC into a third-place tie in the West after Colorado and Real Salt Lake drew 1-1.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409

CHIVAS USA 1, SOUNDERS FC 0

First half — 1, Chivas USA, Lillingston 5, 38th minute. Second half — None. Total shots — Seattle 11, Chivas USA 6. Shots on goal — Seattle 3, Chivas USA 3. Total saves — Seattle 2, Chivas USA 3. Fouls — Seattle 12, Chivas USA 19. Offsides — Seattle 5, Chivas USA 4. Corner kicks — Seattle 8, Chivas USA 1. Yellow cards — Seattle, Ianni 48th, Jaqua 54th, Hurtado 81st. Chivas USA, Lillingston 26th, Trujillo 90th. Red cards — Seattle, Jaqua 88th. A — 13,117 (27,000).

LINEUPS

Seattle — Kasey Keller (GK), Brad Evans, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, James Riley, Freddie Ljungberg, Steve Zakuani (Sanna Nyassi, 79th), Stephen King, Fredy Montero (Sebastien Le Toux, 65th), Nate Jaqua, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

Chivas USA — Zach Thornton (GK), Shavar Thomas (Claudio Suarez, 70th), Paulo Nagamura, Mariano Trujillo, Maykel Galindo (Alecko Eskandarian, 92nd+), Carey Talley, Justin Braun, Jorge Flores, Atiba Harris, Michael Lahoud, Eduardo Lillingston (Sasha Victorina, 68th).

First half — 1, Chivas USA, Lillingston 5, 38th minute. Second half — None. Total shots — Seattle 11, Chivas USA 6. Shots on goal — Seattle 3, Chivas USA 3. Total saves — Seattle 2, Chivas USA 3. Fouls — Seattle 12, Chivas USA 19. Offsides — Seattle 5, Chivas USA 4. Corner kicks — Seattle 8, Chivas USA 1. Yellow cards — Seattle, Ianni 48th, Jaqua 54th, Hurtado 81st. Chivas USA, Lillingston 26th, Trujillo 90th. Red cards — Seattle, Jaqua 88th. A — 13,117 (27,000).

LINEUPS

Seattle — Kasey Keller (GK), Brad Evans, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, James Riley, Freddie Ljungberg, Steve Zakuani (Sanna Nyassi, 79th), Stephen King, Fredy Montero (Sebastien Le Toux, 65th), Nate Jaqua, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado.

Chivas USA — Zach Thornton (GK), Shavar Thomas (Claudio Suarez, 70th), Paulo Nagamura, Mariano Trujillo, Maykel Galindo (Alecko Eskandarian, 92nd+), Carey Talley, Justin Braun, Jorge Flores, Atiba Harris, Michael Lahoud, Eduardo Lillingston (Sasha Victorina, 68th).