Wave United plays to scoreless draw in home opener
Published on May 23, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Milwaukee Wave United News Release
(Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Wave United, the Wave's A-League (outdoor) team capped off its opening weekend against the arch-rival Minnesota Thunder with a 0-0 tie against the Thunder in Milwaukee's home opener Saturday night (5/22) at Uihlein Soccer Park. The two teams battled to the scoreless draw in soggy conditions on the Pat Jones Field before a paid crowd of 1,378. The result moved Milwaukee's record to 0-1-1 (1 point) while Minnesota had its mark go to 3-1-2 (11 points).
Similar to the previous night's game in Minnesota, neither team manufactured many quality scoring chances. The Thunder's best chance came early in the second half on a sliding right footer from eight yards out by Chris Vorenkamp (who had scored the game-winner at the end of overtime on Friday night) that was stopped on a diving save near the right post by Wave United goalkeeper Jim Larkin. Milwaukee's best opportunity came late in the second half when Kevin Burk won the ball from Minnesota âkeeper Joe Warren at the top of the penalty area only to have his turning 15-yard attempt headed away from the goal by Thunder defender Dustin Branan. Wave United midfielder Joe Hammes had the only other near-miss in the contest, a blast from 45 yards away in the 52nd minute that beat Warren but clanged off the right post.
Larkin (7 saves) recorded his first shutout of the season while Warren (4 saves) registered his fifth. Coupled with the Thunder's 1-0 victory in St. Paul the previous night (5/21), Minnesota claimed the two-game total goal series 1-0 thus denying Wave United's bid to secure a spot in the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. (The Thunder had already clinched an automatic bid on the basis of its runner-up finish in the 2003 A-League playoffs.)
Wave United gets back in action this upcoming weekend with games at Seattle (Friday, May 28, 9:05 PM CDT at Seahawks Stadium) and Portland (Saturday, May 29, 9:05 PM CDT at PGE Park). Coach Art Kramer's team returns to Uihlein Soccer Park on Friday, June 4, 7:05 PM when it hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps. Tickets ($12 adult, $8 children under 12) are available at the Wave / Wave United Office, 510 W. Kilbourn Ave, Suite B (414-224-WAVE), the Uihlein Soccer Park Ticket Office (7101 W. Good Hope Rd.) and all TicketMaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Wave / Wave United Group Sales Dept. at 414-224-WAVE (9283) for group rate discounts.
Friday, June 4 will be another "Fireworks Friday" at Uihlein Soccer Park, as well at the rescheduled date for the VIP Tent Party prior to the game (5:30 â 7 PM). Call the Wave / Wave United Office for more information, or visit www.milwaukeewaveunited.com.
All Wave United games home and away can be hear live on 540 AM, WRRD ("The Word") with air time for each contest approximately 20 minutes prior to kick-off.
USL First Division Stories from May 23, 2004
- Silverbacks tip Kickers in OT - Richmond Kickers
- Mariners qualify for U.S. Open Cup - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Wave United plays to scoreless draw in home opener - Milwaukee Wave United
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