July 5, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Toronto FC II game review (from uslsoccer.com)

     
Hristov Provides Historic Boost for Rowdies
By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/05/18, 1:02AM EDT 

Record-setting goal paved way for important win for Tampa Bay playoff hopes

Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov salutes the club's fans and the banner commemorating his club-record 
58th goal in Green and Gold. | Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With his last goal having arrived on April 21 in the club’s last home victory, 
Tampa Bay Rowdies’ fans had needed to be patient as they waited for the chance to hoist the banner they’d 
created in anticipation of forward Georgi Hristov making club history.

Just eight minutes into the club’s 3-1 victory against Toronto FC II on Wednesday night, however, 
the large-format jersey commemorating Hristov’s 58th goal in Green and Gold – breaking the tie with 
Rowdies legend Derek Smethurst to become the club’s all-time leader in goals – was hoisted by Ralph’s Mob, 
creating another special moment for the club legend.

“They’re amazing,” said Hristov. “I’ve played for some big clubs in my country [Bulgaria] and Poland, 
but the fans here are amazing. Every game, they never stop supporting us. I told them that they’re amazing 
and that I really appreciate the support and to keep it up because I think our team has a great future.”

At the heart of the goal was Hristov’s natural opportunism, as a long clearance by Rowdies goalkeeper 
Akira Fitzgerald cleared both Leon Taylor and his marker near the halfway line. A moment’s hesitation 
by a Toronto defender gave Hristov all the opening he needed, and his first-time lob over advancing 
TFC II goalkeeper Borja Angoitia landed softly into the back of the net.

“My first coach always used to say, ‘No matter how small the chance is, just go for it always. Make the 
impossible possible,’” said Hristov. “I had to go a long way to get to the ball and I knew Leon [Taylor] 
would maybe miss it and his defender would go to the goalkeeper, so I was just ready for the ball. 
It was a good goal.”

The goal provided early impetus for the Rowdies as they claimed their first home victory under Head Coach 
Neill Collins, with the side having recorded three draws and one loss at home since the former defender’s 
appointment in May. As welcome as claiming the record proved for the Bulgarian, the victory was equally 
important as the Rowdies moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of Saturday’s 
home clash with defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC.

“It means a lot to me,” said Hristov. “The Rowdies are such an old club with a lot of history, 
but at the end of the day, it’s all about the three points. Let’s not take away the effort that the guys 
put in tonight. We deserved the win, so I’m even more happy that we won the game.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies forwards Georgi Hristov and Leon Taylor celebrate Hristov's 58th goal for the club, 
which made him the Rowdies' all-time leading goal-scorer. 

Leon Taylor also found the net for the hosts, his third goal in as many games since joining the Rowdies, 
while Joe Cole capped the performance with his fourth goal of the season with 11 minutes to go. 
The contest also saw debuts for new signings Stefano Bonomo and Afrim Taku, both of whom came on as 
second-half substitutes as the process of getting acclimated to their new surroundings began in earnest.

The night, though, belonged to Hristov.

“I’m delighted for Georgi,” said Collins. “We knew it was just a matter of time because a goal-scorer 
is always a goal-scorer. We were looking back at his record only last week and he’s got a goal every 
three games or every four games in his career, so that’s pretty impressive. He’s been getting into the 
right places and not put it in the net, and that’s a big sign that it’s going to come. I’m pleased for him. 
It’s huge for the club to have the record goal-scorer in our ranks and it couldn’t happen to be a nicer guy.”

4-3-2-1                              4-1-4-1  
Tampa Bay Rowdies                    Toronto FC II 
3                                    1

July 4, 2018 7:00 PM 
Referee Elvis Osmanovic   Venue Al Lang Stadium   Attendance 5,221

Tampa Bay Rowdies
50 Fitzgerald GK                 58' OWN GOAL
27 Gorskie DF
16 Lachowecki DF
17 Mkandawire DF
21 Ivan Magalhaes DF
29 Oduro MF
20 Vingaard MF
26 Cole MF (C)                   79' GOAL   
11 Fernandes MF                  70' subbed out  
10 Hristov MF                     8' GOAL, 84' subbed out  
14 Taylor FW                     27' Yellow card, 54' GOAL, 57' subbed out  

Substitutes
 1 Mizell GK
 7 Flemmings 
 9 Alex Morrell 
23 Nanchoff 
28 Taku                          84' subbed in  
56 Bonomo                        57' subbed in   
13 Guenzatti                     70' subbed in  

Manager Collins

Toronto FC II
30 Angoitia GK
48 Campbell DF
38 Bjornethun DF (C)             70' subbed out  
52 Dunn-Johnson DF               47' Yellow card  
61 Romeo DF                      30' Yellow card  
59 Okello Ayo MF                 57' subbed out  
45 Uccello MF
64 Hundal MF   
37 Waja MF  
58 Faria MF                      66' subbed out   
56 Johnson FW

Substitutes
90 Olatunji GK  
49 Boskovic 
36 Kübel                         70' subbed in  
57 Mohammed
55 Daniels                       66' subbed in   
50 Srbely                        57' subbed in  
51 Hamilton 

Manager Rabasca

Tampa Bay                       Toronto FC II  
 50.6%    Possession                 49.4%
 58.7%    Duels success rate         41.3%
 62.8%    Aerial duels won           37.2%
 11       Interceptions              11
  7       Offsides                    1      
  4       Corners                     5    
413       Passes                    396   
 92       Long passes                76    
 76.3%    Passing accuracy           74.5%
 63.8%    Passing acc in opp half    65.9%
 14       Crosses                    20     
 14.3%    Crossing accuracy          25.0%
  3       Goals                       1    
 16       Shots                       1     
  6       Shots on target             0     
  0       Blocked shots               0    
  4       Shots outside the box       0    
 12       Shots inside the box        1    
 37.5%    Shooting accuracy           0.0%
 19       Tackles                     9   
 84.2%    Tackles success rate       88.9%  
 20       Clearances                 20  
 13       Fouls conceded             15
  1       Yellow cards                2   
  0       Red cards                   0

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