TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Former Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov may no longer score goals for the green and gold at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg but he has planted roots in the bay area and plans to help budding soccer stars improve their skills and advance their careers.
Hristov bid farwell to a successful professional career in January. His 60 goals for the Rowdies stands as a franchise record. He also played in the most games in modern day club history, 173.
He still plays the game of soccer a few times a week with friends and enjoys staying in shape. But while the rigors of a professional career are no longer a worry, Hristov has embarked on a project that requires as much dedication.
The Tampa Bay Premier Futsal League is Hristov’s attempt to leave a legacy for future bay area soccer stars. He explained the game on WFLA’s Super Sports Sunday. It is a form of indoor soccer that is usually played on a wood court. The ball has less bounce than a regular soccer ball. The goal is to develop foot skills and ball movement techniques in a short space, with less time to act.
Futsal is popular in many countries and is sometimes an alternative to poor weather conditions that make playing outdoors difficult. In Florida, it is a great option to play in an air conditioned climate, out of potential dangerous weather.
The Tampa Bay Premier Futsal League begins play on June 9th, in youth clubs throughout the bay area. The league’s web site is: www.tbpremierfutsal.com. Registration is open until May 27th.
