WASHINGTON — A confrontation with a referee following the United States' upset victory over Spain has earned midfielder Michael Bradley a three-game suspension, although the penalty is unlikely to affect qualifying for next year's World Cup.

Bradley, son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley, was sent off in the 87th minute for a lunging tackle in the 2-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals in South Africa last month. Michael Bradley then confronted Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda in the tunnel after the game, drawing the suspension announced yesterday by soccer governing body FIFA.

FIFA said Bradley breached its disciplinary code "by committing acts of misconduct against opponents and match officials."

"Obviously, the emotions after a game like that with a decision like that are high," Bob Bradley said yesterday after the final practice session for tonight's CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras. "This is typically the way FIFA handles those things."

The red card he received for the foul meant Bradley was automatically suspended for the Confederations Cup final. He's serving the next two games of the suspension during the ongoing Gold Cup — even though he's not on the roster.

In a Group A doubleheader at Columbus, Ohio yesterday, Canada defeated El Salvador, 1-0, and Costa Rica edged Jamaica, 1-0.

Ali Gerba scored as Canada improved to 2-0, while dropping El Salvador to 1-1. Celso Borges' goal helped Costa Rica improve to 1-1. Jamaica fell to 0-2.