The players who played the final two decisive roles in the goal before Hristov’s finish were Michael Nachoff (pass) and Leo Fernandes (dummy), both of whom have started the season strongly. Nanchoff’s two assists on Saturday have been supplemented by nine other chances created in the opening two games, while also completing passes at an 82 percent clip.

While Nanchoff is doing his work by moving the ball quickly, offseason addition Fernandes is doing his with the ball at this feet. The former Philadelphia Union player has recorded five successful dribbles as he’s looked to combine down the left side with fellow newcomer Luke Boden.

Fernandes has yet to record a shot this season, which will be the final piece of the puzzle, but his ability to beat his man and pull an opposing defender toward him will only create more space in the penalty area for Hristov and Joe Cole, two people as an opponent you definitely don’t want to see with a clear view on goal.

NUMBERS UP: Tampa Bay and FC Cincinnati have played very similar 4-2-3-1 systems so far this season, but Cincinnati hasn’t so far looked as effective in the final third as the Rowdies with the scoring load resting on Djiby Fall’s shoulders. That has been in part because of a lack of penetration in the penalty area by the three supporting midfielders, this past Saturday in Pittsburgh the trio of Jimmy McLaughlin, Andrew Wiedeman and Kadeem Dacres.

Compare below their heat map against a Pittsburgh side that played the entire second half with 10 men with that of the Rowdies’ Joe Cole, Michael Nanchoff and Leo Fernandes against Toronto FC II on Saturday.