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Hristov Marks Historic Moment in Style

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 05/14/17, 9:36AM EDT

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Making 121st appearances for Rowdies, notches game-winner vs. Louisville


Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Georgi Hristov had to wait a little to make a piece of modern-era history for the Tampa Bay Rowdies history on Saturday night.

After coming on as a second-half substitute to earn his club-record 121st appearance for the club, though, it didn’t take long for the Bulgarian striker to make an impact.

Hristov’s 59th-minute goal provided the impetus for Tampa Bay to earn a 2-0 victory against previously undefeated Louisville City FC in front of 5,410 fans at Al Lang Stadium, keeping the Rowdies within two points of the Charleston Battery at the top of the Eastern Conference.

“I knew I was going to make an impact if I came on,” said Hristov. “I know that sounds a little cocky, but I just felt this way. I wasn’t sure if I was going to score a goal, but I knew I needed to make an impact. It was a great win against one of the best teams in the league.”


Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Rowdies had threatened to take the lead a few minutes prior to Hristov’s tally. Darwin Jones and Joe Cole both had efforts well-saved by Louisville’s Tim Dobrowolski in the 55th minute, but there was nothing City’s goalkeeper could do when Hristov cut inside his man on the left and sent a perfect curled finish to the far post for a 1-0 lead.

Coming on the same night that Hristov overtook another modern-era Rowdies legend, Takuya Yamada, for the most appearances for the club, the finish highlighted the Rowdies’ attacking prowess against a Lousiville side that had not conceded multiple in a game previously this season.

“I’m so fortunate that I’ve got three forwards, not just Deshorn [Brown] and Georgi, but I’ve got [Martin Paterson] as well,” said Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell. “I think we’ve got a lot of attacking options and we’ve got a lot of games coming up here thick and fast. I’m just keeping my eye on the bigger picture and how to get the most out of my players.”

Brown got into the act with 18 minutes to go when a beautiful counter-attack sprung by Cole’s pass over the top of the Louisville defense with the outside of his boot allowed the Jamaican forward to use his pace to get in behind the defense. Dowbrowolski got a hand to Brown’s finish, but not enough to keep it from the back of the net.

“It was great to get onto the scoresheet tonight,” said Brown. “More importantly it helped secure three points. It was great to help out the team to provide some cushion to get the win tonight.”

With the Rowdies having secured some revenge for the loss Louisville handed them at Slugger Field earlier this season, Tampa Bay appears on course for more success to come.

“[Louisville’s] a good team,” said Hristov. “We tried and tried and tried, but we knew a goal was going to come eventually.  Our defense played extremely well tonight. This is my fifth year here and I think this is the best team we have had here.”

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