Late Game-Winning Goal from Tampa Bay Forward Georgi Hristov Propels Him To NASL Player Of Week 1
July 14, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK (July 14, 2014) - It looks like forward Georgi Hristov spent his time very wisely during the World Cup break. That showed clearly on Saturday night during the opening of the North American Soccer League 2014 Fall Season when Hristov scored twice - including the game-winner in stoppage time - to lead the Tampa Bay Rowdies to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over visiting Atlanta Silverbacks. Hristov's performance earned him the NASL Player of the Week for Week 1 of the Fall Season.
"It's always good to be named Player of the Week," said the Bulgarian native, Hristov. "Thank you to my teammates for helping me. It sounds like a cliche, but it's true: you can't win an award like this without your teammates.
All I want to do is help the team by scoring goals and I'm happy I got to do that. Also, thank you to the NASL for selecting me."
Trailing 2-1 with 24 minutes remaining, last year's NASL Golden Ball winner scored off a rebound from midfielder Shane Hill's header that Atlanta's goalkeeper Derby Carrillo could not handle to tie the match for Tampa Bay.
Bringing the Rowdies all the way back, Hristov added his fourth goal of year when he headed home the game-winner off a corner kick by substitute midfielder Evans Frimpong two minutes into stoppage time.
Ricky Hill was excited for Hristov's NASL honor: "It's great news for Georgi. I hope it will give him added confidence and kick him on for the remainder of the Fall Season. I'm delighted he got a couple of goals, but his work rate in the second half was what we expect from him. The harder he works, the better he'll be because he's a very talented player."
Hristov played his first NASL season in 2013 and led the Rowdies with 12 goals and eight assists in 22 games played.
Prior to coming the NASL, Hristov spent time in the native Plovdiv, Bulgaria playing with PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (2012), PFC Slavia Sofia (2010-2012), PFC Levski Sofia (2008-2010) - won the national championship and competed in the UEFA Europa League, PFC Botev Plovdiv (2007-2008) - chosen league football of the year, and FC Maritsa Plovdiv (2002-2007).
Hristov has also seen action with FC Ashdod of Israel (2011) and Polish club Wisla Krakow (2010).
North American Soccer League Stories from July 14, 2014
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Forward Georgi Hristov Named NASL Player of the Week - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Late Game-Winning Goal from Tampa Bay Forward Georgi Hristov Propels Him To NASL Player Of Week 1 - NASL
- NASL International Spotlight: Overseas Players Are Major Contributors to NASL Fall Kickoff - NASL
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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