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

Canada had a goal in the final minute of stoppage time waved off tonight, preserving the Americans' 2-1 victory and their spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final. Frankie Hejduk scored his first goal in almost seven years, and Landon Donovan converted yet another 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 and second in a row. Keller played in his 100th international game, matching Tony Meola's American mark for goalkeepers. With 33 career goals, Donovan moved within one of Eric Wynalda's U.S. career record.

The United States will play Mexico or Guadeloupe in Sunday's final. They'll be without Hejduk and Michael Bradley, though. 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.

"I think these young guys are realizing that we need to be up for every game," Hejduk said. "We've made it a little hard on ourselves by giving up late goals, but I think those guys are realizing how hard we need to play."

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 American defender, meaning the goal should have counted.

"Their player headed the ball down into the box and our player kicked it in," Canada coach Stephen Hart said. "If one of their players played the ball back, it's a back pass and it cannot be offsides. That's how I saw it."

Canada forward Dwayne DeRosario agreed.

"It was definitely a goal. No question," he said. "It's very frustrating."

Onyewu admitted heading the ball, but said he still thought Hutchinson was offside.

"I don't think it matters what I thought," he said. "The call was offsides."

Canadian players vehemently argued to no avail with Archundia, who seconds later blew the final whistle.

The Americans are unbeaten in 13 matches against the Canadians, a stretch that dates back to 1985 and improved to 9-0-1 since Bradley replaced Bruce Arena as coach.

"We did things to put ourselves in that position, whether it was a bad call or not," Canadian goalie Patrick Onstad said. "We dug ourselves a hole."

The Americans have Hejduk and Donovan to thank for that.

Hejduk, who turns 33 on Aug. 5, was on the initial U.S. roster for last summer's World Cup. But the day after the team was announced, he discovered he had torn ligaments in his knee and needed surgery. He still made the trip to Germany, but the closest he got to being on the team was hanging out at the hotel in Hamburg.

He didn't play for the U.S. team again until June 7, against Guatemala. But he's making up for that lost time.

After struggling to finish several chances — a recurring theme for the Americans lately — Hejduk finally got the offense on track in the 39th minute.

Pablo Mastroeni collected the ball on the right side of the field after a set piece by DaMarcus Beasley. He passed across the field to Donovan, who tapped the ball back to into Hejduk's path at the top of the box.

Michael Bradley would have been in Hejduk's way, but the youngster dropped to the ground and Hejduk took a solid shot with his right foot. The ball hit the left post and caromed into the goal past a diving Onstad.

It was Hejduk's first goal since June 11, 2000, and it sent him on a mad dash across the field. He slapped hands with Bob Bradley and the players on the bench, pumping his fists as the rests of his teammates mobbed him.

"Frankie's played well in this tournament," the elder Bradley said. "When you have him on your team, you've got a great competitor. He pushes all the players around him."

Seven minutes later, the Americans were celebrating again.

Onstad, who was starting because No. 1 goalie Greg Sutton is still feeling the effects of a concussion, tripped up Beasley on a breakaway in front of the goal. He was given a yellow card, and the referees awarded the Americans a penalty kick.