New England Revolution's Khano Smith reckons time is well overdue for the perennial bridesmaids to end their barren trophy run — starting with victory in tomorrow's Open Cup final against FC Dallas.

During their 13-year history, the MLS giants have never clinched a single trophy, losing three MLS Cup finals, an Open Cup final and MLS Supporter's Shield. It is a sorry statistic Smith has trouble comprehending.

"Revs have been too good for far too long not to win a trophy," reasons Smith who scored their winner at the weekend. "It's about time we won some silverware. Most people are stunned when I tell them we haven't."

Revs' current crop now have the opportunity to rewrite the history books and head into the game as 'red-hot' favourites having already prevailed over Dallas twice this season.

The Open Cup certainly seems to be high on coach Steve Nicol's list of priorities, and Smith believes it could represent a watershed moment for the franchise still to experience the euphoria of a final victory.

"Our management seems to have made a conscious effort to really go for the Cup this season," he said. "We've pretty much fielded a full-strength team throughout the competition and it's paid off as we're in the final.

"I guess the Open Cup is the equivalent to the English FA Cup, but I'd compare it more to the League Cup. In the past some MLS coaches have tended to field weakened teams, but I believe that's down to the congested nature of the MLS fixture list." The 25-year-old tasted defeat of the bitterest kind in a painful penalty shoot-out against Houston Dynamo in the 2006 MLS Cup, triggering an array of emotions he has no desire to revisit.

"We've won a whole bunch of Eastern Conference titles, but never won the MLS Cup or the Open Cup," he added. "I played in last year's MLS Cup final so I know how it feels to be on a losing side.

"Tomorrow night is as good a time as any to put that right and we could potentially make history by becoming the first Revs team to lift a trophy.

"Dallas are a strong team and in Carlos Ruiz they've a proven goalscorer. We've already beaten them twice this season, but they'll have home advantage and it's sure to be a difficult game. After all, it's a final and both teams will be desperate to win."

Prior to this year 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 he has since emerged as a key component of the team, helping them secure a play-off place by opening his goalscoring account against Dallas last month.

Smith notched his second strike on Sunday against Colorado Rapids and believes the "ugly win" reinforces Rev's credentials as a team to be reckoned with this campaign.

"Nobody played that well against Colorado to be honest," he said. "I know I didn't play well but managed to score the winning goal so I can take some pleasure from that.

"You know, we can't play well every time we go out on the pitch, but they say the mark of a good team is one that still wins when playing badly."

New England Revolution play FC Dallas at 10 p.m. (Bermuda time) at Pizza Hut Park tomorrow night.