Wave / Wave United sign Johnny Torres to three-year contract
March 4, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Milwaukee Wave United News Release
(Milwaukee, WI) The Milwaukee Wave, parent organization of the Wave indoor (Major Indoor Soccer League) and Wave United outdoor (A-League) professional soccer clubs announced today that it has signed forward Johnny Torres to a three-year contract beginning with the current MISL season. The multi-year indoor / outdoor agreement will keep Torres with the Milwaukee organization through the 2006 outdoor campaign.
The 27-year old Torres rejoins the Wave after having spent each of the past two indoor seasons with the Milwaukee squad. The ex-Creighton University star appeared in 52 regular season games during that time, recording 26 goals and nine assists for 35 points. In addition, the 5-7, 150 lb. Torres also played in eight post-season contests, tallying two goals with no assists for two points.
Torres, a Columbian native who received the Hermann Award as the nation's top collegiate soccer player following his senior season at Creighton (1997) is also a six-year outdoor veteran with four years of MLS (Major League Soccer) and two years of A-League experience. He spent the past two seasons with A-League's Minnesota Thunder, appearing in 47 regular season matches with 19 goals and 12 assists for 50 points. He also made his presence felt during the 2003 A-League playoffs when he scored both goals for Minnesota in the Thunder's 2-1 aggregate goal quarterfinal series victory over Wave United. He'll make his debut for Wave United when it hosts the Edmonton Aviators in Milwaukee's 2004 A-League opener Friday, May 14, 7:05 PM at Uihlein Soccer Park.
"We're very excited about Johnny's return to the Wave," said Wave Coach / Milwaukee Vice-President of Soccer Operations Keith Tozer. "His addition to the club for the remainder of the indoor season is very timely and he'll be a key addition to our outdoor team, as well. We feel Johnny is one of the top young forwards in the U.S. and his long-term commitment to our organization is an important step toward our future success."
Said Wave United Coach Art Kramer, "Johnny was the big difference in last year's playoff series with Minnesota. He scored two key goals in pressure situations; one to keep their season alive, another to end ours. His speed skill and experience will provide us with another dimension up front."
To make room for Torres on its active roster, the Wave traded rookie forward Dan Antoniuk to the San Diego Sockers for a fourth round draft choice in the 2005 MISL Amateur Draft. The 23-year old Antoniuk, a former star at Wheaton (MA) College did not register any points in three appearances.
The Wave returns to action this weekend with a pair of home games at U.S. Cellular Arena. Milwaukee will entertain the Kansas City Comets this Saturday, March 6 at 4:05 PM before welcoming the St. Louis Steamers the following afternoon, Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 PM. On Saturday, all kids 12 and under will receive a free Wisconsin Dells Kids Card good for free admission to several Dells attractions courtesy of Wisconsin Dells and 99 WMYX. On Sunday, the first 1500 kids 12 and under will get a free Michael King Wave T-Shirt Jersey courtesy of Wauwatosa Savings Bank and WKLH 96.5.
Tickets for all Wave home games ($18, $14, and $12) are available at the Wisconsin Center District (WCD) Box Office, located between U.S. Cellular Arena and the Milwaukee Theater at 510 W. Kilbourn Ave., all TicketMaster Outlets, or by phone charge at 414-276-4545. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Wave's Group Sales Dept. at 414-224-WAVE (9283) for group rate discounts.
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USL First Division Stories from March 4, 2004
- Former Kansas City Wizard commits to Thunder - Minnesota Thunder
- Lynx announce television schedule for 2004 - Toronto Lynx
- Wave / Wave United sign Johnny Torres to three-year contract - Milwaukee Wave United
- Battery Broadcast Schedule Set - Charleston Battery
- Timbers featured twice on Fox Sports World in 2004 - Portland Timbers
- Fox Sports World/USL Broadcast Schedule Set - USL-1
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