MLS star Khano Smith has hailed this year as his breakthrough for New England Revolution – who have clinched their place in the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

Bermudian Smith saved his finest performance of the campaign to help Revs join DC United and Chivas USA as the only teams qualified for the eight team playoffs, by scoring one goal and orchestrating another in a 4-2 win over FC Dallas.

It marked the 25-year-old's first strike of the season, a rare right-foot drive from distance, and led former Arsenal ace and Rev's assistant Paul Mariner to describe Smith's showing as "exceptional".

"I would say it was my best game of the season," said Bermuda international Smith.

"I've had some good moments but it all came together for me against Dallas, it was a enjoyable night.

"My teammates managed to supply me a lot of possession and I had the beating of my defender."

Despite starting 21 of Rev's 25 games this season, Smith had yet to open his goalscoring account ¿ a statistic beginning to play on his thoughts.

"Not scoring this season was in the back of my mind as goals have always been part of my game," admitted Smith.

"It's not my priority as a wing-back, it's my job to create rather than score, but of course I was relieved to score.

"I guess it's released a bit of pressure off me. I was pleased as it was with my right foot as a left sided player."

Prior to this seaon Smith had been limited to just ten starts since signing for Steve Nicol in 2005, and missed most of last season with a knee injury. But his convertion from an out-and-out attacker to a left-wing back has created a new identity and seen him emerge as a key component of the Eastern Conference outfit.

"I've definitely been more involved this season," said Smith. "My first season was my first season and I was never going to play too many games. I missed most my second season with injury so I suppose this year has been a breakthrough for me.

"I've figured in nearly every game and it's shaped up to be the best season of my career.

"More importantly though, we qualified for the playoffs with our victory over Dallas."

Statistically, Smith has been Rev's second most creative player with six assists this season, but it's no secret Nicol and Mariner believe there is a lot more to come.

"Both Steve (Nicol) and Paul (Mariner) have been doing a lot of work with me on the training ground," he added. "They're trying to get me use my pace more and go outside the defender rather than cut inside on my weaker foot.

"The problem is defenders always try and show me inside, into an area where they will have more support from their teammates. I know the coach thinks I cut inside too much and he has been working with me to get around that problem and use my pace on the outside."

Revs have now advanced to the last five Eastern Conference Championships, an MLS record, and played in three of the last five MLS Cups.

The 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs begin the final weekend of October. The top two teams in both the Eastern and Western Conference automatically gain playoff spots, as well as the four teams with the next best records overall, regardless of conference affiliation.

The MLS Cup 2007 will be played at 12 p.m. on November 18 at D.C. United's RFK Stadium.