ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies recorded their third consecutive victory to start the season as Georgi Hristov scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Ottawa Fury FC in front of a crowd of 5,310 on Saturday night at Al Lang Stadium. Tampa Bay had the better of possession early, but it was Fury FC that created the better chances. Rowdies goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald made a big save to deny Sito Seoane in the 24th minute, and three minutes later Lance Rozeboom also went close for the visitors, but the game went to halftime scoreless. Less than two minutes after the break, though, the Rowdies took the lead as a deflected cross by Luke Boden on the left was met by a flicked header from Georgi Hristov that found the right side of the net. Hristov forced a save from Fury FC goalkeeper Callum Irving soon after, while Deshorn Brown also went close from a corner kick as the hosts looked to add to their lead. A pair of chances that went just off target by Walker Hume and Steevan Dos Santos, and a low cross that trickled through the Rowdies’ six-yard area, all provided chances for Fury FC to find an equalizer, but the Rowdies held on to remain perfect on the early season.

Scoring: 
47’ – TBR – Georgi Hristov

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The Rowdies began the contest with Georgi Hristov playing wide on the left as Deshorn Brown made his first start for the club and took up the lone striker role. Hristov’s insticts to drift in from the flank paid quick dividends for the hosts in the second half, however, as it resulted in his third goal in as many games. With space to move into down the left, fullback Luke Boden immediately got further up the field, and while his cross was deflected, Hristov adjusted perfectly to flick home the opening goal less than two minutes into the second half.

• 2. Ottawa could feel it should have taken something from this contest, and if not for a pair of good saves by Tampa Bay goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald the visitors could certainly have had the lead in the first half. Shots by Sito Seone and Lance Rozeboom, and second-half efforts by Steevan Dos Santos and Tucker Hume that just missed the target, gave Fury FC a chance to salvage something. But while the team looked good at times, it wasn’t able to dictate enough of the game completing only 66 percent of its passes, and barely half in the Rowdies end.

• 3. The Rowdies have made a perfect start to the new season, but will now get a major test when they hit the road for the first time to encounter two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference a season ago. With Louisville City FC also making an undefeated start, and the atmosphere of Nippert Stadium four days later when the side visits FC Cincinnati, Tampa Bay will get a big test of its credentials in the next 11 days.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies – Hristov’s third goal in as many games proved the difference as Tampa Bay moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.

Upcoming Games:
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Louisville City FC – April 15, 7:30 p.m. ET, Louisville Slugger Field
Ottawa Fury FC at Richmond Kickers – April 15, 5 p.m. ET, City Stadium