Jurgen Klinsmann banned from Gold Cup final against Panama

The U.S. soccer team will be missing a familiar figure for the Gold Cup final against Panama on Sunday — its coach.

Jurgen Klinsmann was suspended for one game Friday by CONCACAF's disciplinary committee, the result of his ejection in the 87th minute of a 3-1 victory against Honduras in the semifinals Wednesday. Klinsmann was dismissed "for showing dissent towards the referee by throwing the ball in a violent manner," the disciplinary committee found, and said FIFA rules require anyone ejected from a match to be suspended for the following game.

Klinsmann was apparently displeased with some aggressive play from the Honduras side late in Wednesday's match, leading to his ejection.

The decision cannot be appealed.

"I don't think it changes too much," U.S. captain DaMarcus Beasley said Friday. "It's always good to have him on the bench, but he'll give his wisdom before the game ... make sure we get off on the right foot. But it's not going to be the same, not seeing his face on the sideline, giving us instructions when we need it and being the enthusiastic person that he is on the bench. Especially when we score or he needs to tell us something if we need to change something."

Klinsmann flew off the handle Wednesday after the referee failed to issue cards on a series of hard fouls against the Americans. He could be seen yelling and gesturing angrily in the direction of the referee and was told to leave the field after he slammed a ball into the ground.

Klinsmann later apologized, saying he acted out of frustration.

Below is CONCACAF's full statement regarding the matter:

Following a review today by the CONCACAF Disciplinary Committee, in accordance with Article VI.1b of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Regulations, it was decided that United States national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been suspended for one match. This decision was reached in accordance with Articles 18.4, 19.1, 19.2 and 20 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Mr. Klinsmann was ejected from the technical area for showing dissent towards the referee by throwing the ball in a violent manner during the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match against Honduras on July 24, 2013, in Arlington, Texas, USA.

His suspension will be served in the USA's next match, which is scheduled to take place on July 28, 2013, at the Gold Cup final in Chicago.

This decision cannot be appealed in accordance with the FIFA DC Art. 118.

Klinsmann not happy about Team US 'victory parade' for tie against Mexico

The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a special "victory parade" in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the scoreless  0-0 draw in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, reports Yahoo! Sports.

The officially ended in a tie. But it was only the second time the U.S team earned a point in World Cup qualifiers and it felt like a win — especially since it came in the raucous, sold-out Estadio Azteca. American reaction to the stand-off was as if the third-place team had won a tournament and now the USSF is pulling out all the stops to show their affection.

"This is a historic event for the U.S. national team and the fact that it comes in our federation's centennial year only makes it more special," USSF president Sunil Gulati told reporters. "So, like Spain does after winning every real trophy, we will hold a victory parade through our nation's capital to mark this momentous occasion. There will be balloon animals for the kids and the fan who had the most mystery liquids thrown on them at the Azteca will be awarded the Medal of Honor. By Morgan Freeman. Dressed as Abraham Lincoln."

The tie leaves the U.S. in third place three games into the six-nation, 10-game qualifying tournament for Brazil 2014 after a game in which they were outshot 19-1 and helped by a referee who ignored Mexico's penalty shot in the second half.

The U.S. squad's coach Jurgen Klinsmann doesn't sound like a big fan of twisted balloons or even "The Shawshank Redemption" actor in a beard and stovepipe hat.

"I think it's a stupid idea," said Klinsmann when asked about the parade. "We need to act like this has happened before -- which it has in 1990-freaking-seven -- and move on with the qualification process. Now let's focus on actually winning matches and things instead of Morgan Freeman in a Lincoln suit."

Mexicans weren't as jubilant about the tie as their U.S. counterparts. Fans south of the border booed their team off the field after it fell to fifth in a qualifying tournament in which only three teams are guaranteed berths in Brazil.

For the U.S., it all sounds like the trophy-less, self-esteem building, "everyone's a winner" coddling — that is rampant in kid's sports  today — has finally made it to the big leagues.