CHESTER export Andy Dorman has capped a fantastic season in America by appearing in Major League Soccer's championship decider, writes Paul Cook.

It wasn't quite the ultimate fairytale ending for the 23-year-old midfield player as his New England Revolution side were beaten 1-0 after extra-time - but it was mighty close.

The MLS Cup game, between the winners of the Eastern and Western conferences, is the most important of the season.

'It's like the Super Bowl of soccer,' explained Chester-born Andy. 'The top four in each conference go into the play-offs playing effectively quarterfinals and semi-finals, before the respective conference winners meet.'

In the play-offs Revolution beat Chicago Fire 1-0 in a one-off game and the New York Metrostars 3-2 on aggregate.

The final was then played in Frisco, Texas, at Pizza Hut Park against Western conference winners Los Angeles Galaxy.

'It's definitely been the highlight of my playing career to be part of one of the best teams in America.

'It's got an FA Cup final feel to it, although not on the same scale.

'We got to fly in a guest, everything was organised for you, and there was an after-party as well. We were treated brilliantly. Everything apart from the result was great.

'The final was played at a soccer-specific stadium. A lot of the games are played in American Football stadiums and you have their lines on the pitch as well, but this only had soccer markings.

'It has something like a 25,000 capacity which is perfect and there was a full house there.'

The Revolution were beaten by a volley from Galaxy substitute midfielder Guillermo Ramirez in the 107th minute. It was the second time the Revolution had lost to the Galaxy in the MLS Cup final.

But overall this has been the Revolution's most successful season ever as they topped their conference in the regular season with 17 wins and eight draws from 32 games.

Only three players featured in more games than Andy this season for the Revolution, as he played a part in 30 of the 32 regular season matches.

He was also credited with a club-high figure of three game-winning assists and has pledged his future to New England.

'I've got another two years on my contract and I want to see them out. I just want to get back into the starting line-up,' said the former Hawarden High School pupil.

The team, coached by former Liverpool favourite Steve Nicol, share the 68,000-capacity Gillette Stadium, home of NFL giants the New England Patriots, in Massachusetts.

'It's a unique stadium,' said Andy. 'From April through to September the pitch is as good as anything in the Premier-ship.'

Andy, who trained with Chester City last winter to keep fit, signed for the Revolution after completing his geography degree at Boston University.

In his schoolboy career, Andy helped Hawarden High to the North East Wales Year 11 Championship and the semi-finals of the Welsh Schools Championship, He also represented Welsh Schoolboys at under-18 level.

His parents, Dennis and Lynne Dorman, who live in Flintshire, have been following his progress this season through Internet-streamed broadcasts of the matches.