Khano Smith was forced to agonisingly watch from the bench as his New England Revolution went down 1-0 in the season finale against the LA Galaxy yesterday.

Injured two weeks ago in a collision with World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, the former Dandy Town striker was always struggling to return to fitness in time for the MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas, with the match eventually coming just a week too early for the rookie.

Deep bruising under his left knee cap meant that even though coach Steve Nicol was hoping to start him down the left side, Smith failed a late fitness test and though he suited up for the Revs and joined team-mates on the bench, he wasn?t named in the squad.

Guillermo Ramirez hit a perfectly timed shot from the top of the penalty area in the first period of injury time to seal the victory for the Galaxy and break the hearts of Smith and his team-mates.

The Revolution, who Smith joined after impressing during their pre-season tour to the Island early in the year, dominated during the regular season and claimed the Eastern Conference crown last weekend with a victory over the Fire in a match they only reached because of Smith?s late goalscoring heroics in the semi-final the previous week.

But Smith picked up an injury after scoring the winner that day against the New York/New Jersey Metrostars that brought a premature end to his season first season in the Major League Soccer, where he scored four goals ? three of them spectacularly.

And national assistant coach Paul Scope, who helped broker the deal that propelled Smith from domestic football star to international one, believes the lanky striker deserves praise for what he has achieved stateside during this campaign.

?The game just came a week too soon as his injury is not thought to be serious, but the deep bruising has caused too much pain to kick a ball,? said Scope, who was down in Frisco watching the match.

?Although disappointed Khano is in good spirits and was hoping his team-mates would do the business.

?But everyone in Bermuda should take their hats off to Khano for his rookie season which exceeded expectations. To make the adjustment to the full-time pro life with one of the MLS? top teams has been very impressive.

?He has grown in confidence and has realised his best position is wide left, coming at defenders from deep, utilising his frightening ? even at this level) ? pace and his good finishing technique.?I would be very surprised if the Revs don?t take up the option on his contract, but I would be even more surprised if he hasn?t done enough to attract a contract from another MLS team, if the Revs didn?t pick him up.?

Meanwhile Shaun Goater?s Southend went down 2-1 to League One rivals Swansea onSaturday in a top of the table clash.

In front of more than 11,000 in a Roots Hall sell-out, the Shrimpers were beaten by their second-placed rivals who now leapfrog up to first.

Goater was replaced in the 68th minute of the defeat, Southend?s first at home since the opening game of the season.

Goals from Lee Trundle and Adebayo Akinfenwa were enough to give Swansea the win despite a late Freddy Eastwood effort.