[USA-COSTA RICA] The ejection of Costa Rica coach Rene Simoes and the time it took to send him away was one reason -- in addition to Oguchi Onyewu having to be stretchered off after a knee injury -- that enough stoppage time was added for the USA to get the tying goal for a 2-2 result that earned the Americans first place in the Hexagonal and denied the Ticos World Cup qualification. Here's what infuriated Simoes before he stormed up to the fourth official and berated him so severely that referee Benito Archundia stopped the match in order to eject him.

Late in the match, after Junior Diaz (No. 15) replaced Esteban Sirias in the 74th minute, Simoes sent Fire defender Gonzalo Segares (No. 12) to the scorer's bench as a pending replacement for Dennis Marshall (No. 5).

When Simoes saw fourth official Haro Delgadillo hold up a signboard with the numbers 12 and 15 on it, he flew into a frenzy, and a fierce argument ensued when Simoes, imploring Delgadillo to correct the signboard, refused to leave.

A few Costa Rican coaches and staff members surrounded the fourth official as Segares stood off to the side, awaiting some resolution.

Simoes clearly rotated his hands in the classic symbol for substitution and shouted that Diaz (No. 15), had just come into the match and was not supposed to be replaced.

The dispute escalated as play continued, and after a minute or so Archundia stopped the match and walked over to briefly consult with Delgadillo, then ejected Simoes and assistant coach Luis Diego Arnaez.

Simoes continued to plead his case as he was escorted off the field by two officials. Once he departed, and the match moved into stoppage time, Segares did replace Marshall.

The somewhat comic yet unfortunate incident may have serious consequences. Severe misconduct by a coach toward the match officials can be punished by suspension, which could mean Simoes cannot be on the bench for the playoff match(es) against Uruguay next month.

As Concacaf's fourth-place finisher, Costa Rica plays South America's fifth-place team. A scenario that wouldn't have been if the USA hadn't been afford the added time.