Wave United Closing in on Post-Season Berth
August 11, 2003 - A-League (A-League)
Milwaukee Wave United News Release
(Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Wave United, the Wave's A-League (outdoor) team took another step toward clinching a playoff spot in the Central Division by defeating Team Calgary 2-1 Saturday (8/9) at Foothills Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. Rookie forward / midfielder Nick Walls scored both goals for Milwaukee, including the tie-breaking game-winner in the 71st minute. Forward Todd Dusosky assisted on both of Walls' tallies to push his team high scoring total to 23 points (eight goals, seven assists). The win raised Milwaukee's record to 12-9-0 (36 points) as Wave United moved nine points ahead of both Cincinnati and El Paso in the race for the second and final playoff spot in the Central Division. (The Minnesota Thunder <14-6-1, 43 points> has already clinched a playoff spot.)
Speaking of Cincinnati, the Riverhawks (9-15-0, 27 points) will be in Milwaukee this week for a pair of games against Wave United at Uihlein Soccer Park. Game One of this important two-game series is Wednesday, August 13, 7:35 PM, while Game Two is set for Friday, August 15, 7:35 PM. A Wave United victory in either game will eliminate the Riverhawks from post-season consideration; a Milwaukee sweep would clinch a playoff spot for Wave United.
Both games will be broadcast live on 540 AM, WRRD ("The Word"), with air time for each broadcast 20 minutes prior to kick-off.
Upcoming Promotion: Friday (8/15) is Froedtert "Family Four Pack Night" with packages that include four tickets, four hot dogs, and four sodas for just $25. Ticket packages must be ordered in advance through the Wave / Wave United Office at 414-224-WAVE (9283).
Tickets: All Wave United home games are played at Uihlein Soccer Park, 7101 W. Good Hope Rd. on Milwaukee's northwest side. General Admission tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. Reserved seating at Uihlein Soccer Park is limited to season ticket holders â call the Wave / Wave United Office at 414-224-WAVE (9283) for more information. Tickets for all Wave United home games are available at the Wave / Wave United Office, 1040 N. Water St. in downtown Milwaukee, the Uihlein Soccer Park Ticket Office, all TicketMaster outlets, and through phone charge at 414-276-4545. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Wave / Wave United Group Sales Dept. at 414-224-WAVE for group rate discounts.
Wave Camps: The 2003 Milwaukee Wave / Wave United Summer Soccer Camp program continues with 58 sessions in 34 locations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Call the Wave Office at 414-224-WAVE for a camp brochure and registration form, or register on-line at www.milwaukeewave.com
Last Week's Recap:
Wed 8/6 @ Milwaukee Fire 4, Wave United 1 Attendance: 3,773
The Chicago Fire, aided by a 29th minute ejection of Milwaukee defender Chad Dombrowski, overcame an early Wave United goal to defeat Milwaukee 4-1 Wednesday night (8/6) in a Fourth Round match of the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. A rain-soaked crowd of 3,773 endured a 45-minute delay prior to kick-off to see the MLS Fire avenge last year's setback to a Milwaukee A-League side in the round of 16. With the win, Chicago advances to the quarterfinals to take on the Colorado Rapids on August 27 at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, IL.
Wave United got off to a quick start in the second minute when Greg Howes scored at the far post off a feed from John Ball. Ball had gotten behind the Chicago defense on a pass from Todd Dusosky and found Howes on a run to his left. It was the sixth time in seven games that Howes has scored at least one goal.
Chicago answered 12 minutes later when Chris Armas scored from eight yards out on a touch from Nate Jaqua. Jaqua was battling a defender for possession inside the box when his touch found Armas cutting through to the left post.
The game took an ominous turn for Milwaukee in the 29th minute when rookie defender Chad Dombrowski drew his second yellow card on late tackle of DeMarcus Beasley. Dombrowski, who was issued his first caution on a trip against Beasley in the 17th minute, was issued a red card for his second caution leaving Wave United a man down for the rest of the match.
The Fire quickly took advantage as Ante Razov scored from the middle of the box on an assist from Justin Mapp. Mapp's feed found Razov at the edge of the box, and the latter made two great moves on his defender to fire a shot past Milwaukee goalkeeper Jim Larkin from 12 yards out.
Chicago continued to press with the man advantage and scored again in the 61st minute when Evan Whitfield took a pass from Razov and hammered a left-footer past Larkin from 15 yards out. Second half substitute Dipsy Selolwane capped off the scoring in the 80th minute when he converted from 10 yards away on a corner kick that was headed across by Jacqua.
The Fire out-shot Wave United 25-8 for the contest, including a 14-1 advantage in the second half. Winning goalkeeper Henry Ring finished with three saves, while Larkin posted seven for Milwaukee in 68 minutes. Jeff Richey, who finished up in the nets for Wave United, was also credited with one save.
Sat. 8/9 @ Calgary Wave United 2, Team Calgary 1 Attendance: 400
Rookie forward / midfielder Nick Walls broke a 1-1 tie with his second goal of the contest in the 71st minute to spark Wave United to a 2-1 victory over Team Calgary. Walls opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he ran onto a pass from Todd Dusosky and blasted a shot past Calgary goalkeeper David Wiebenga. Calgary answered just four minutes later when Nicky Reyes scored on a header from six yards out off a right wing cross from Sean Fraser. The winning goal play began with a midfield throw-in from Wave United defender Chris Morman, who found Dusosky behind the Calgary defense. Todd then headed the ball to Walls, who converted from 10 yards out on the right side of the box. Milwaukee goalkeeper Jeff Richey earned his fifth consecutive win (his seventh straight since his career began last season) by stopping five of six shots, including brilliant saves against Fraser (25th minute) and Reyes (82nd minute).
Notes: *Goalkeeper Jeff Richey is 5-0-0 in four starts this season, and 7-0-0 in seven career starts. He has two shutouts this year and four for his career. In 661 career minutes he has surrendered just four goals (0.54 GAA).
*Goalkeeper Jim Larkin has six shutouts so far this season which is third on Milwaukee's all-time A-League shutout list. The single season record for Milwaukee A-League goalkeeper shutouts is eight set last season by current LA Galaxy goalkeeper Dan Popik.
*Forward Todd Dusosky scored the fastest goal in Milwaukee A-League history when he found the back of the net just 44 seconds into the match on 8/3 v. Ind. He is currently leads Wave United in scoring with 23 points (eight goals, seven assists) followed by Dino Delevski (21 points) and Greg Howes (19 points).
*Milwaukee is 6-0-0 when Todd Dusosky scores. Todd also has six game-winning goals.
*Forward Greg Howes has scored at least one goal in six of his last eight outings, including the Open Cup matches against the Bavarians (7/23) and the Chicago Fire (8/6).
Midfielder Dino Delevski has had two multi-goal games so far this season: 6/8 v. Por (two goals) and 8/3 v. Ind (two goals). Other multi-goal scorers include Todd Dusosky (three v. Ind on 6/29), Greg Howes (two v. Bavarians on 7/23 and EP on 7/27), Digital Takawira (two v. Ind on 8/3), and Nick Walls (two @ Cal on 8/9).
*Forward Digital Takawira's two goals on 8/3 v. Ind were his first two A-League tallies this season. He is Milwaukee's all-time A-League goal scoring leader with 40. Takawira still ranks third on the Kansas City Wizards (MLS) all-time list with 28 goals from 1996-99.
*Midfielder Steve Bernal was forced to leave the 7/23 match v. the Bavarians with a left knee injury sustained in the 78th minute. He has not played since.
*Wave United's 3-2 win @ Cin on 7/19 was the 100th regular season victory in Milwaukee A-League History (1997-Present)
*Wave United has been awarded just two penalty kicks so far this season, both resulting in successful conversions (Dino Delevski, 7/18 @ Ind and Digital Takawira 8/3 v. Ind). Milwaukee has yielded just one PK attempt, an unsuccessful try by Minnesota's Johnny Torres in the season opener (5/16).
*Rookie defender Joe Hammes (Cedarburg, WI / St. Louis U.), who did not play in the season opener v. Min on 5/16, has played every minute of every game since (1803 minutes). He tops the club in minutes played followed by Matt Schmidt (1776) and Troy Dusosky (1757).
Wave MISL (indoor) Season Set to Begin October 11 / Home Opener at U.S. Cellular Arena October 18: The Wave will begin its 20th season (its third in the Major Indoor Soccer League) October 11 against the San Diego Sockers at San Diego. Milwaukee returns for its home opener October 18 v. the Baltimore Blast. All Wave home games will be played at the U.S. Cellular Arena at the corner of 4th St. and Kilbourn Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. Call the Wave / Wave United Office at 414-224-WAVE for more information, or visit www.milwaukeewave.com.
A-League Stories from August 11, 2003
- Wave United Closing in on Post-Season Berth - Milwaukee Wave United
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