Wave United Announces 2004 Team Award Winners
September 7, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Milwaukee Wave United News Release
(Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Wave United, the Wave's A-League (outdoor) team announced the team's Post-Season Award Winners following the recently completed 2004 campaign. The second-year club posted a record of 12-12-4 (40 points) to place fifth in the Western Conference, just missing the fourth and final playoff spot by the equivalent of one victory. Coach Art Kramer's team finished the season with an impressive 11-5-3 mark over its last 19 games, including a team record eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) that brought the club back into playoff contention late in the season.
The 2004 Wave United Post-Season Award Winners include:
Team MVP â Forward / Midfielder Johnny Torres
The 28-year old Torres enjoyed a fine season in his first outdoor campaign in Milwaukee. The former Herrmann Award Winner (1997 at Creighton University), who had spent three previous seasons with the Wave indoor squad (2001-04), emerged as Milwaukee's top scorer during the season with 11 goals and eight assists for 30 points. Torres also was one of just three players (along with Matt Schmidt and Steve Lawrence) to start all 28 games this past season, logging 2617 of a maximum of 2688 minutes played by the squad. Johnny was also named to the A-League "Team of the Week" on five separate occasions including each of the last three weeks during the regular season.
Kramer's Quote: "Johnny was the heart and soul of our team all year long. This honor is well deserved."
Team Offensive Player of the Year â Forward Greg Howes
The 27-year old Howes had another productive season with nine goals and eight assists for 26 points. The former Oregon State star finished second in the team scoring race despite missing four games in July due to commitments with the U.S. National Futsal Team. (He and teammate Todd Dusosky were instrumental in helping Keith Tozer's squad capture the CONCACAF Championship in Heredia, Costa Rica.) Greg was also named the A-League's "Player of the Week" during Week 19 (August 17-23) when he tallied four goals in two games, including a natural hat trick (three consecutive goals) in Milwaukee's 6-2 win over Edmonton on 8/19 at Uihlein Soccer Park. Howes is also preparing for his sixth indoor campaign with the Wave indoor squad; he's the MISL's reigning MVP having recorded 57 goals and 28 assists for 85 points last season to claim the league's scoring crown.
Kramer's Quote: "Greg's ball striking ability with either foot makes one of the most dangerous offensive players in North American soccer."
Team Defensive Player of the Year â Goalkeeper Jim Larkin
The 28-year old Larkin had another solid season defending the net for Wave United. He started all but three games this past season, posting a record of 12-9-4 with a 1.53 GAA in 2347 minutes played. The ex-Virginia Commonwealth standout also registered six shutouts. Larkin has now started 44 of a possible 56 regular season games for Wave United during its two seasons in the A-League, compiling a mark of 22-18-4, with a 1.42 GAA and 13 shutouts. The Scarborough, ON native will be returning to the Cleveland Force for the upcoming 2004-05 MISL campaign.
Kramer's Quote: "In addition to anchoring our defense, Jim also provided great leadership as our team captain."
Playoff Update:
Eastern Conference Semifinals (two-game, total goal series):
Montreal defeats Rochester 2-0 1-0 @ Rochester on 9/3, 1-0 @ Montreal on 9/5
Syracuse defeats Richmond in penalty kicks (5-4) after 2-2 tie 1-0 @ Richmond on 9/3, 1-2 @ Syracuse on 9/5
Western Conference Semifinals (two-game, total goal series):
Seattle defeats Portland 3-2 1-2 @ Portland on 9/1, 2-0 @ Seattle on 9/5
Vancouver defeats Minnesota 3-0 2-0 @ Vancouver on 9/3, 1-0 @ Minnesota on 9/5
Eastern Conference Finals (two-game, total goal series) Western Conference Finals (two-game, total goal series)
Friday, 9/10 Vancouver at Seattle, 10:05 PM CDT Friday, 9/10 Montreal at Syracuse, 6:30 PM CDT
Sunday, 9/12 Seattle at Vancouver, 9:05 PM CDT Sunday, 9/12 Syracuse at Montreal, 3:05 PM CDT
A-League Championship Game (one-game)
Saturday, 9/18 Eastern Conference Champion v. Western Conference Champion at site TBD
Wave Indoor Season Set to Begin October 23rd / Home Opener at U.S. Cellular Arena on Friday, October 29th
The Milwaukee Wave indoor team (Major Indoor Soccer League) will begin its 21st campaign on the road October 23, with the home opener at U.S. Cellular Arena scheduled for Friday, October 29th at U.S. Cellular Arena. The entire MISL schedule is expected to be released by the end of August. Season ticket packages, including the new VIP Elite seating packages with waiter / waitress service are available through the Wave / Wave United Office at 510 W. Kilbourn Ave., Suite B in downtown Milwaukee. Call 414-224-WAVE for more information, or visit www.milwaukeewave.com.
• Discuss this story on the USL First Division message board...
USL First Division Stories from September 7, 2004
- A-League Conference Finals Set - USL-1
- Wave United Announces 2004 Team Award Winners - Milwaukee Wave United
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.
