Now, that’s the way a team should begin a journey.
The stadium was packed. The evening was perfect. And the team – the Tampa Bay Rowdies, in this case – dispatched a brand new rival in a new league with a 1-0 victory.
Playing in front of 7,710 fans, the Rowdies beat the Orlando City team of the USL.
Georgi Hristov scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute for the only goal to lead his team to the victory.
“It was a big game with a big atmosphere and my players came good tonight,” Rowdies’ coach Stuart Campbell said. “I’m delighted for Georgi because he worked his absolute socks off and if anyone deserved a goal tonight, it’s him.”
Hristov, who had missed much of the preseason with an injury, admitted he could have scored two other goals. But he calmly knocked home the penalty kick for the winner.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere,” Hristov said. “I think everyone realizes that out organization is trying to do something big for Tampa Bay, so I appreciate everyone coming out to support us.
“I’m happy to have scored the goal on an important night for the Rowdies,” Hristov said. “We played really well tonight and should’ve won by more, so I’m proud of the way all my teammates played. There’s things we can do better, but this is a good start.”
Said Campbell: “He’s a cool customer, isn’t he? He’s never too high. Never to low. When it comes to penalty kicks, I let the players sort it out. Sometimes, it’s whoever gets the ball first.”
Orlando City goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had a good night, making four saves.
For the Rowdies, goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald had a clean sheet. He had found out only Thursday that he was starting because of neck injury to regular Matt Pickens.
“I’ve been in the league six or seven years,” he said, “so the night before wasn’t too bad. The team played great defense in front of me.”
Said Campell: “He’s done well. We’ve known he was starting for a while, but we kept our cards close to our vest. He’s calm. Very assured.”
The Rowdies are home on Saturday night against Toronto.
