Canada coach slates referee choice after Gold Cup defeat

CHICAGO, June 22 (Reuters) Canada coach Stephen Hart slammed the selection of a Mexican referee to officiate Thursday's Gold Cup semi-final defeat to the United States after his team had a stoppage time equaliser disallowed.

Two goals down at halftime, Canada got one back in the 76th minute, and four minutes into injury time Atiba Hutchinson found the net only for Benito Archundia to rule it out for offside.

The Canadians claimed the ball had deflected off the head of American defender Oguchi Onyewu and television replays supported that view.

Hart said the choice of Archundia was inappropriate given Mexico were playing Guadeloupe in the other semi-final of the tournament for nations of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

''I think it's the only confederation in the world that will do that,'' he said.

American coach Bob Bradley refused to be drawn into the controversy even though his son Michael was dismissed in the 89th minute and will miss Sunday's final.

Bradley said his team needed to be better at killing off matches in the last quarter and paid tribute to goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who won his 100th international cap during the match.

''We still count on Kasey's experience,'' Bradley said of the 37-year-old. ''To know that we could bring him into this game, gave everybody confidence.

''I thought he played well. It's particularly special that it's his 100th cap. It's an unbelievable achievement. As a team, we are very excited for Kasey.'' REUTERS BJR PM1047