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MISL 2 Milwaukee Wave

Futsal Squad Set To Depart For Brazil

July 19, 2007 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Milwaukee Wave News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 19, 2007) - In a moment immortalized in the movie "Miracle," the late Herb Brooks skated his hockey players to the point of collapse after an exhibition loss. Captain Mike Eruzione ended the session when he figured out the message - he didn't represent his college or his hometown; like all the others, he now represented the United States.

For the members of the 2007 U.S. futsal team, the same realization - they are representing the United States - arrived more mundanely. At George Mason University, they heard lectures about drug issues, proper decorum and where not to go in Rio de Janeiro while at the Pan American Games. They received equipment, had official team and individual photographs and milled around with athletes from other teams before departing for Brazil late Thursday night.

"I think it's just hitting home for the guys," said Coach Keith Tozer, talking on his cell phone as softball superstar Jennie Finch stood 10 feet away.

The world champion softball team joins the 12-player futsal team, along with many other American athletes, for the trip to Brazil tonight. The Pan American Games are the second-largest gathering of athletes in the world, behind only the Olympics. As host, Brazil selected futsal to be an exhibition sport.

All six returning MISL franchises are represented on the team, with four players from the Milwaukee Wave, along with Tozer. Included are MISL MVP Jamar Beasley of the Detroit Ignition and Brett Phillips, who was the MVP of the 2004 CONCACAF Championships. The team has been in Washington since Monday to train.

"We had five sessions, and I thought they went extremely well," Tozer said. "The first several days, we focused on our offensive game plan, and then the last day, we focused on our defensive game plan."

David Grimaldi, MISL deputy commissioner of soccer operations, addressed the team Wednesday.

"Having witnessed their last training session, the team looks ready and well-prepared to represent the United States in an honorable fashion," Grimaldi said.

ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language arm of the sports network, will carry 12 or 13 hours of daily coverage of the Pan American Games next week, with futsal scheduled to be shown. The U.S. opens Monday against Argentina.

Exact match times will be announced. For a team photo or individual player photos from the USOC, please visit www.usocpressbox.org and click on the "Media Guides" link at the left of the page.

U.S. Futsal Pan-American Games Team

Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nick Vorberg (Milwaukee Wave), Brett Phillips (Milwaukee Wave)

DEFENDERS (3): Pat Morris (Philadelphia KiXX), Joe Hammes (Milwaukee Wave), Troy Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Jamar Beasley (Detroit Ignition), John Ball (Rochester Raging Rhinos - USL1), Matt Stewart (Chicago Storm), Denison Cabral (Baltimore Blast)

FORWARDS (3): Don D'Ambra (Philadephia KiXX), Enrique Tovar (California Cougars), Lee Tschantret (Baltimore Blast)

U.S. Futsal Schedule - Pan-American Games

Date Opponent Venue

July 23 Argentina Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 24 Ecuador Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 25 Costa Rica Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 27 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

July 28 Placement Match Riocentro Pavillion 3B (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

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