NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Milwaukee Wave

Veteran Torres Retires To Return To Alma Mater

July 9, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


MILWAUKEE, WI (July 9, 2007) -- The author of one of the most famous goals in Milwaukee Wave history has scored his final point. Johnny Torres, a six-year veteran of the club, has retired and will return to his alma mater this fall as a graduate assistant coach at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. While a player for the Blue Jays, Torres received the Hermann Award as the nation's top male college soccer player and led the Blue Jays to the NCAA Division I semifinals.

ESPN cameras captured the play that immortalized Torres for Wave fans on May 14, 2005. After a late Wave goal in regulation forced overtime in Game 1 of the 2005 MISL Championship Series against Cleveland, Torres pounced on a loose ball at the right edge of the penalty area and shoved it past Jim Larkin for a 10-9 Wave victory. Almost 7,000 fans at the U.S. Cellular Arena roared as Torres did a little dance before teammates engulfed him.

"I remember Todd got the ball down in right hand corner," Torres said. "I tried to make an initial run into that corner for a shot. (Michael King) shot and it got blocked, then somebody took another shot that deflected off a defender, and luckily it landed on my right foot, and I was able to tuck it under the goalie.

"It was such a relief to watch the ball hit the back of the net, knowing we'd won the first game, and were going into the second game with little momentum."

Milwaukee followed that victory with a double-overtime, 10-9 win in Game 2 to secure the franchise's fourth league championship. In six years, Torres played in 143 regular-season games, with 54 goals and 27 assists. He added three goals and two assists in another 22 playoff games.

"We're sad to see Johnny leave," said Keith Tozer, Wave head coach and vice president of soccer operations. "He's been an integral part of the success of the Milwaukee Wave over the last six years, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

Not only was Torres a consistent producer on the field, he was among the most popular Wave players in the community. His sense of humor made him a hit during school assemblies as part of the club's Making Waves educational initiative, and he was a spokesman for Adoption Resources of Wisconsin. Torres, a native of Medellin, Colombia, was adopted by his high school soccer coach in Texas and went on to earn his U.S. citizenship in 1996.

"Aside from winning a championship, which is something I'm very proud of, the thing I'll definitely take out of my six years here is the great relationships, the great friendships I've made," Torres said. "I've met people I'll probably stay in contact with for rest of my life."

Johnny is married to Erin and has a young son, Dominic.

Check out the Milwaukee Wave Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major Indoor Soccer League 2 message board...

Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from July 9, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central