Losing on penalties in a major final is every footballer’s worst nightmare, and Khano Smith admitted yesterday that the bitter disappointment of New England Revolution’s MLS final defeat will linger long in the memory.

But the towering Bermuda forward insisted nevertheless that he would be both physically and mentally ready for the Island’s crucial Digicel Cup matches which begin next week, saying: “The best way to get over something like this is to get out there do what I love best — and that’s playing football.”

Watched by over 22,000 at the Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas on Sunday afternoon, Smith came off the bench in the 52nd minute against the Houston Dynamo to make his first appearance in an MLS Championship final after missing last year’s clash against the LA Galaxy due to injury.

And the 25-year-old made light of the pressure-cooker environment with the teams stuck at nil-nil, surging down the left flank on several occasions and ultimately setting up Revs’ striker Taylor Twellman for what most thought would be the winning goal with only eight minutes of injury time remaining.

But moments later a Houston cross from the right — which the left-sided Smith felt he was responsible for closing down — was met by a leaping Brian Ching who levelled the game at one-all, before Houston went on to claim their first MLS crown 4-3 on penalties.

Under the management of former Liverpool legend Steve Nicol, the Revs are developing a reputation as American soccer’s nearly-men, having now lost in the MLS final for the third time in five years.

“To lose like that was devastating and we all feel horrible,” said Smith yesterday, who will now fly down to meet the rest of Bermuda’s Digicel Cup squad in Barbados on Friday.

“There’s never a nice way to lose a game of course, but to lose on penalties having been only eight minutes away from a ring on my finger and our first title is very hard to take.

“Having scored the goal, we switched off for 20 seconds — which was the only time we switched off all day — and what makes it more disappointing for me was that it was my man on the left-hand side of midfield who got the cross away.

“We had a meal as a team and a few drinks afterwards and but nobody was really in the mood for a party. Steve Nicol was actually pretty proud of the way we played. Last year against the Galaxy (when the Revs lost 1-0) we didn’t really turn up for the game, but this year we played very well and dominated large parts of the game.

“But sometimes one defensive lapse in a game that close can cost you badly and that proved to be the case.” Watching in the stands on Sunday were Smith’s mother, girlfriend and young daughter, as well as assistant national coach Paul Scope — who felt the former Hornets frontman had plenty to be proud of despite the loss.

“He was very closely marked for the first ten minutes after he came on, but in the last 20 minutes and particularly in injury time I thought he was superb,” said Kyle Lightbourne’s assistant.

“He caused all sorts of problems going forward and it was a terrific run and pass through to Taylor Twellman for the goal. I know after the game Khano was quite critical of his own performance because he felt he should have stopped the cross that led to the equaliser, but I think he’s being a little harsh on himself.

“He was the most effective player on show in my opinion and though it might not feel like it right now, a lot of positives might come from it because he performed on the biggest stage he’d ever been on and showed he has the talent and potential to develop into a high-quality player.”

When dressed in the blue or white of the national team, Smith plays as an out-and-out striker and, by his own admission, has taken a little time to adjust to the added defensive responsibilities imposed on him by New England’s usual 3-5-2 formation. And while Scope admitted that Smith was “far too dangerous” not to start him in his favoured position in Barbados, it was comforting to know they could employ him as a genuine winger if required.

“He’s in a side with two international strikers in Clint Dempsey and Taylor Twellman so it was always going to be difficult for Khano to work his way into that position,” he said.

“But he’s naturally left-footed, athletic, fast and fit so I can see why Steve Nicol likes playing him out there. From our perspective, both Kyle and I believe that Khano’s partnership with John Barry Nusum will be a match for any team in the Caribbean so in terms of our starting eleven, we’re comfortable with him upfront.

“Khano would be the first to admit that he still has a lot to learn when it comes to tracking back and defending, but so far when I’ve seen him on the left he’s done a very good job and we’re certainly bearing it in mind as an option for us.

“Right now though, he’s obviously disappointed, but knowing Khano as I do once he’s got over the initial shock, he will respond well and be even more determined to finish the year on a high.”