US and Mexico through to Gold Cup final

CHICAGO, June 22 (Reuters) The United States and Mexico will meet in the final of the Gold Cup for the third time after winning their semi-finals.

The Americans, title holders and hosts, advanced with a controversial 2-1 victory over Canada while a brilliant strike from Pavel Pardo gave Mexico a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe, yesterday .

The tournament, run by the CONCACAF federation for nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean, concludes with the final at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday.

The United States were 2-0 ahead at the break but Canadapulled a goal back before having an injury-time equaliser disallowed -- a decision that sparked fierce Canadian protests.

Landon Donovan set up Frankie Hejduk for the opener, the defender producing a swerving low drive from 20 metres that went in off the post.

LA Galaxy forward Donovan then doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Clint Dempsey fed DaMarcus Beasley who burst into the area, only to be brought down by Canada keeper Pat Onstad.

US coach Bob Bradley then suffered a blow when the in-form Hejduk was booked, meaning he will be suspended for Sunday's final.

SETBACK Just as American thoughts were starting to drift to the final, Canada struck back in the 76th minute when substitute Iain Hume fired a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

There was another setback for Bradley when his son Michael was sent off in the 89th minute for a foul from behind on Julian de Guzman.

Deep in injury time, Canada's Atiba Hutchinson had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled offside, although television replays cast serious doubt over the linesman's raised flag.

There was little to choose between Mexico and first-time semi-finalists Guadeloupe in the first half of their game but the Mexicans got a grip on affairs after the interval.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco headed over from a great position in the 50th minute and then Guadeloupe keeper Franck Grandel produced a excellent reflex save from an Adolfo Bautista header.

The Mexicans finally broke through in the 69th minute with a rocketing drive from 25 metres out by Pardo that flew into the top corner.

REUTERS BJR PM1105