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Waved-off goal allows U.S. to move into final

U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller, right, blocks a shot by Canada's Ali Gerba. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Nancy Armour Associated Press
U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller, right, blocks a shot by Canada's Ali Gerba. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

CHICAGO – Canada thought it was a goal. The Americans said it was offside.

Fortunately for the Americans, the linesman and referee agreed with them.

Canada had a goal in the final minute of stoppage time waved off Thursday night, preserving the Americans’ 2-1 win and their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Frankie Hejduk scored his first goal in almost seven years, and Landon Donovan converted a penalty kick for the winner.

“I thought he was offsides. But it doesn’t matter,” American goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. “The linesman made the call, so it’s offsides.”

But the wacky ending tainted what should have been a big victory for the Americans, who are trying to win their fourth Gold Cup title. Keller played in his 100th international game, matching Tony Meola’s American mark for goalkeepers. With 33 career goals, Donovan moved within one of the U.S. career record.

The U.S. will play Mexico, a 1-0 winner over Guadeloupe, in Sunday’s final for a berth in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. The defending champion Americans will be without Hejduk and Michael Bradley. Hejduk picked up his second yellow card in as many games while Bradley, the son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley, was given a red card in the 89th minute for a reckless tackle.

After second half sub Iain Hume scored in the 76th minute, the Canadians put even more pressure on Keller. In the final minute of stoppage time, Atiba Hutchinson got a shot past him, but Mexican referee Benito Archundia waved the goal off, saying the Canadian was offside.

Replays showed the ball went off U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu, and that Canadian attackers appeared to be even with the last U.S. defender, so the goal should have counted.