Cool first half strikes from Frankie Hejduk and Landon Donovan saw the US Men's National Team survive a game effort from Canada - as well as some last minute controversy - to claim a 2-1 win and a slot in the Gold Cup final on Thursday.

Leicester city forward Iain Hume hopped off the pine to cut the lead with 14 minutes to play, but the rally fell short when an apparent Atiba Hutchinson equalizer was wiped away in stoppage time by Mexican referee Benito Archundia.

The match began with the Americans taking the initiative, and Donovan threatened Pat Onstad's goal with a quick drive. The hosts also set an early physical tone, with Jonathan Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra earning their way into the book.

Canada had their best opportunity just past the half hour, when Bocanegra granted a danger free kick just above the area, slightly to the left of goal.

Deportivo la Coruña ace Jonathan de Guzman let rip with an effort that Clint Dempsey was able to get a small piece of - the carom took another deflection and found the far post.

Hejduk then put the hosts ahead with a perfectly swerved lightning strike in the 39th minute.

Donovan received a switch on the left and laid off at an angle for Hejduk to run into the strike at the top of the box. The Crew veteran avoided a ducking Michael Bradley to fire a low laser off the post and in.

In the 41st minute, Donovan saw yellow for a dive in midfield, but a call went his way a moment later. DaMarcus Beasley broke free into the Maple Leaf zone, forcing Onstad to grab a foot.

Donovan lined the ensuing spot kick straight up the middle as his victim dove off to the side and the lead was doubled on the edge of halftime.

Donovan could have added a third shortly after intermission, but failed in front of a gaping net in a two-on-one situation. Hejduk then picked up a card at the hour, which means he will miss the final.

Before long, the Canadians would have something a bit more tangible to celebrate. A minute after grazing the bar from distance, substitute Hume wiggled away from Bocanegra to slice the deficit.

The visitors continued to lean on the US, and the finish became more nervous when Michael Bradley was issued a straight red for a foolish challenge on Hutchinson near midfield.

Deep into added time, Canada seemed to have drawn level, but Archundia mistakenly waved off the goal. Oguchi Onyewu mysteriously headed a lob feed directly into the path of the onrushing Hutchinson, who wasted no time in beating Kasey Keller from an angle.

Despite being contradicted by video replays, the whistleblower ignored vociferous protest from the stunned Canadian players to call time soon thereafter.

Scoring
USA - Frankie Hejduk (Landon Donovan) 39'
USA - Landon Donovan (PK) 45'
CAN - Iain Hume (Atiba Hutchinson) 76'

Line-ups
USA - Kasey Keller; Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Bradley, Pablo Mastroeni (Ricardo Clark 89'), Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Eddie Johnson (Benny Feilhaber 80'), Clint Dempsey (Taylor Twellman 88')

CAN - Pat Onstad, Ante Jazic, Andrew Hainault, Julian DeGuzman, Paul Stalteri, Ali Gerba (Issey Nakajima-Farran 81'), Richard Hastings, Atiba Hitchinson, Dwayne De Rosario, Patrick Bernier, Martin Nash (Iain Hume 64')