Keith Tozer and Tatu to coach 2004 MISL All-Star teams

Published on February 9, 2004 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release


(Westport, Conn., February 9, 2004) – Keith Tozer of the Milwaukee Wave and Tatu of the Dallas Sidekicks have officially been named head coaches of the MISL USA and MISL International All-Star teams, respectively. The MISL USA and MISL International squads, which were announced on February 4, will meet in the 2004 MISL All-Star Game on Sunday, February 29, at the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO, home of the St. Louis Steamers. Kickoff is 1:05 p.m. Central.

Tozer, who has guided the Wave to a 17-6 record thus far in 2003-04, has won more games than any other coach in the history of North American indoor soccer. In a coaching career that began in 1984, he has posted a regular season record of 506-313 (.618 winning percentage) and a postseason mark of 44-35. He has earned five Coach of the Year Awards (including two straight) and coached in seven different all-star games, posting a record of 4-3 in those contests. He led the Western Conference All-Stars to a 20-13 win over the Eastern Conference side in the 2003 All-Star Game at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

Since becoming the Wave's head coach prior to the 1992-93 season, Milwaukee has registered a 300-160 regular season record (.652) and a 31-19 mark in the playoffs (.620). He has led the Wave to three League championships (1998, 2000, 2001) and five appearances in the finals (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003). His 2001-02 Wave contingent became the first team in League history to go undefeated at home (22-0) for an entire season. Since the start of the 1995-96 campaign, the Wave has compiled an astounding home record of 144-20 (.878).

The native of Gross Pointe, MI, has also served as head coach of the U.S. National Futsal Team since 1998. In that role, Tozer has led his U.S. Team to third-place finishes in the Mundialito de Futsal in Brazil (1998) and the CONCACAF finals in Costa Rica (2000).

Tozer coached the Louisville Thunder (AISA, 1984-87), Los Angeles Lazers (original MISL, 1987-89), and the Atlanta/Kansas City Attack (NPSL, 1989-92) before coming to Milwaukee. He led the Thunder to the first two AISA championship series. Including regular and postseason games, Tozer's all-time head coaching record is 550-348 (.611).

In his first season strictly as a coach, Tatu has engineered a remarkable turnaround this season for the Sidekicks, who finished 9-27 in 2002-03. As of Monday, Dallas led the Western Division with a 14-10 record. The native of Brazil, who assumed Dallas' coaching duties in 1998, led the Sidekicks to the World Indoor Soccer League finals in each of his first four years as coach, claiming the 1998 and 2001 WISL titles. From 1998-2001, Tatu's Sidekicks posted an overall mark of 54-26. In 1998, he became the first and only person to earn Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards in the same season. Tatu's all-time coaching record currently stands at 77-63 (.550).

One of the greatest offensive talents in the history of the indoor game, Tatu retired after 21 years as a player following the 2002-03 season. He stands as the Sidekicks' all-time leader in games played (557), goals (736), assists (672), points (1,408), power play goals (98), and game-winning goals (68). Tatu is also among indoor soccer's all-time best in games played (633, seventh), goals (857, second), assists (728, second), points (1585 combining goals and assists, third), game-winning goals (77, tied for second), and power play goals (113, first).

Both Tozer (who was the first draft pick in the original MISL in 1978 and enjoyed a standout playing career from '78 through 1990) and Tatu will also suit up for the MISL Legends team in the 2004 Legends Game, presented by The BIG 550 KTRS, to be held following the All-Star Game at the Family Arena. The two will join a galaxy of former MISL greats as they take on a team of St. Louis Steamers legends.

Beginning Friday, February 27, the 2004 MISL All-Star Weekend will encompass three days of festivities designed to celebrate the past, present, and future of indoor soccer. Included in the celebration will be MasterCard All-Star Community Day, the MISL All-Star Family Festival, presented by Suburban Journals and WB-11, and The Commissioner's Celebration of Excellence.

Online balloting for the 2004 All-Star starting lineups began on Friday, February 6. By visiting www.misl.net, fans can cast their vote for the MISL USA and MISL International starters. The results will be announced on Thursday, February 26, at the MISL All-Star Welcome Reception, to be held at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Central.

For more information on the 2004 MISL All-Star Weekend, contact the MISL at 1-866-MISLNET, visit www.misl.net, or call the St. Louis Steamers offices at 1-866-785-5425.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 9, 2004


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