Ex-Norwich City boss Dean Smith has seen his first season in the MLS end with a play-off penalty shootout defeat to Orlando, but feels his Charlotte FC project is only just beginning. 

Smith moved to the MLS last December, and guided North Carolina-based side Charlotte to play-offs for the first time in their history via a fifth-placed finish in the Eastern Conference during the regular campaign. 

After a goalless draw in game one, Charlotte travelled to Orlando and nearly booked their place in the semi-finals, only for an equaliser in the 12th minute of added time from Facundo Torres to force the game to penalties after Karol Swiderski 81st minute opener.

Orlando went on to win 4-1 in a penalty shootout to set up an Eastern Conference semi-final date with Atalanta United, ending Charlotte's season. 

Former Norwich and Aston Villa boss Smith was left proud of his squad's efforts and believes further improvement will be seen next season. 

"I don't believe our journey should have ended today," Smith said in his press conference. "I think there is a lot of growth throughout the team and the club this season from what I've seen.

"We had the best defensive record in the East. What we need to go and improve now is on the ball and in the final third. We're a good, fit team but there's a lot of different things that we can improve on.

"It's been a big step for us as a club and I think that we'll just get better from this. What gives me hope is how much they've grown this season - the attitude, application and team work will grow and get better.

"We've started something here. We've watered it, and it's started to grow. It will get better. I've been really happy with their application. They are starting to coach themselves and that gives me an awful lot of hope.

"We didn't fear any team in this playoff format. I felt that we could have gone all the way, that's why we're so disappointed."

Smith was left bemoaning the standard of refereeing in the USA after falling on the wrong side of two controversial decisions throughout the game, including a goal in their favour being chalked off before Orlando's penalty was awarded deep into stoppage time after a five-minute VAR intervention. 

"My views on officiating in the MLS haven't grown this season. Some of the decisions that went against us weren't good enough, in my opinion," the ex-City boss said.

"I've complained at times about some of the officiating and what the MLS needs to get right; tonight was a show of that. If we want to be talked about as a top league, then we need to have the lines in [for offside decisions on VAR]."