Wave United Weekly
Published on May 10, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Milwaukee Wave United News Release
(Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Wave United, the Wave's A-League (outdoor) team is set to begin the 2004 regular season this Friday night, May 14, 7:05 PM when it hosts the Edmonton Aviators at Uihlein Soccer Park, 7101 W. Good Hope Rd. on Milwaukee's northwest side. Coach Art Kramer's squad, which finished with a league-best record of 18-10-0 (54 points) last season to claim both the Central Division and A-League Regular Season Titles, will be taking on the expansion Aviators for the first time. Edmonton, which is also scheduled to face Minnesota in St. Paul on Saturday, is currently 0-0-2 (2 pts.) following ties with Vancouver (0-0 on 4/30) and Seattle (1-1 on 5/8).
Friday night's game, sponsored the Froedtert and Medical College Sports Medicine Center, Piggly Wiggly, CBS 58, and Lazer 103, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will be the first of six "Fireworks Fridays" at Uihlein Soccer Park. The first 5,000 fans will also receive a 2004 Wave United Magnetic Schedule.
Friday night's game also features a $15 pre-game all you can eat and drink promotion (including game ticket) from 5:30 â 7 PM for groups of 10 or more who purchase the package in advance. The event includes a tent party with live music. Call the Wave / Wave United Group Sales Dept. at 414-224-WAVE for more information.
Tickets at $12 (adult) and $8 (under 12) are on sale at the Wave Office, 510 W. Kilbourn Ave. (Suite B), or by calling 414-224-WAVE (9283). Tickets are also on sale at all TicketMaster Outlets, or by phone charge at 414-276-4545. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Wave / Wave United Group Sales Dept. at 414-224-WAVE (9283) for group rate discounts.
Friday's game, like all other Wave United contests can be heard live on 540 AM, WRRD ("The Word") with air time approximately 20 minutes prior to kick-off.
The 2004 Wave United Media Day is this Wednesday, May 12 at Uihlein Soccer Park. The team will practice from 10:30 AM until noon. Following practice, lunch will be served inside the indoor building. Coach Art Kramer's press conference will begin at approximately 1 PM. All players will also be available for interviews.
The Wave United Kick-Off Rally (sponsored by The Club at Brookfield Hills) will be held this Thursday, May 13, 7 PM at Champps in Brookfield (1240 Moreland Rd., 262-797-6600). Coach Art Kramer and his squad will be on hand to meet and greet fans, as well as sign autographs.
This Week:
Day Date Event Time** Place
Mon. May 10 Practice 4:30 PM Uihlein Soccer Park
Tue. May 11 Scrimmage v. United Serbians 5:30 PM United Serb Field*
Wed. May 12 Practice / Media Day 10:30 AM / 12:15 PM Uihlein Soccer Park
Thu. May 13 Practice 4:30 PM Uihlein Soccer Park
"Wave United Kick-Off Rally" 7:00 PM Champps / Brookfield
FRI. MAY 14 GAME V. EDMONTON 7:05 PM UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK
*51st and Oklahoma Ave.
**Practice dates and times are subject to change. Please contact the Wave Media Relations Dept. at 414-908-6338 / 6339 if you plan to cover any session. Uihlein Soccer Park is located at 7101 W. Good Hope Rd. on Milwaukee's northwest side.
Upcoming Schedule: HOME GAMES in CAPS
Day Date Opponent Time (CST) Venue Broadcast
FRI. 5/14 EDMONTON 7:05 PM UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK 540 AM, WRRD
Fri. 5/21 Minnesota* 7:05 PM Griffin Stadium, St. Paul, MN 540 AM, WRRD
SAT. 5/22 MINNESOTA* 7:05 PM UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK 540 AM, WRRD
Fri. 5/29 Seattle 9:05 PM Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, WA 540 AM, WRRD
Sat. 5/30 Portland 9:05 PM PGE Park, Portland, OR 540 AM, WRRD
FRI. 6/4 VANCOUVER 7:05 PM UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK 540 AM, WRRD
SUN. 6/6 SYRACUSE 6:05 PM UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK 540 AM, WRRD
Wave United on Radio: All Wave United games home and away may be heard live on 540 AM, WRRD ("The Word") with air time for each broadcast approximately 20 minutes prior to kick-off.
Injury Report: Pos. Player Injury Status GM â DLP
* probable = 75% chance of playing; questionable = 50%; doubtful 25%; out = will not play
**Games Missed due to current injury â Date Last Played
Suspensions: none
Recent Transactions:
5/6 Signed F Nick Walls.
5/7 Signed F Sean Reti
WAVE UNITED KICKS-OFF SECOND A-LEAGUE SEASON IN 2004
After an outstanding inaugural campaign in 2003 in which it claimed the A-League's Central Division Title and Regular Season Championship, Milwaukee Wave United looks to continue its success in 2004.
Coach Art Kramer begins his second season with much of the squad from 2003 that posted a record of 18-10-0, good for a league-best total of 54 points. The 42-year old Kramer, who served as the Wave's indoor assistant coach for six seasons prior to making his professional outdoor coaching debut in 2003, will count on many of his returning veterans to carry the club in 2004.
Up front, Kramer is counting on veteran forwards Todd Dusosky and Johnny Torres to help lead Wave United's attack. The 28-year old Dusosky finished second on the team scoring list with 29 points (11 goals + 7 assists) a year ago, while the newly acquired Torres registered 21 points (7 goals + 7 assists) with arch-rival Minnesota. The 28-year old Torres was especially effective in the playoffs, as he scored both goals for the Thunder in Minnesota's 2-1 aggregate goal victory over Milwaukee in the A-League Quarterfinal Playoffs. Former A-League MVP Digital Takiwara (6 goals + 4 assists for 16 points in 2003) should also provide goal-scoring punch, especially early in the season while Dusosky and Torres are recovering from the indoor campaign.
At midfield, Wave United will be looking to veteran Greg Howes to once again be its main offensive force. One of the A-League's all-time leading scorers (40 goals + 30 assists for 110 points), the 27-year old Howes led Milwaukee with 34 points in 2003 (11 goals + 12 assists). Coming off an MISL MVP campaign with the Wave, Howes will look to continue making an impression as the best two-way (indoor-outdoor) player in North American pro soccer.
Another midfielder expected to make significant contributions is second-year pro Nick Walls. The former Wauwatosa (WI) East H.S. and St. Louis University star enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign in 2003 with 15 points (7 goals + 1 assist) good for sixth on the team scoring list. The 23-year old Walls, one of the fastest players in the league, may also see time at a forward spot as well.
In the back, second-year defenders Chad Dombrowski, Steve Lawrence, and Joe Hammes return to help anchor Milwaukee's defense. All three played prominent roles in their rookie seasons, with Dombrowski adding 13 points (5 goals + 3 assists) from his back line position. Veteran Chris Morman, who joined the club in the latter part of 2003, as well as Troy Dusosky should also be defensive fixtures for Wave United this season.
Goalkeepers Jim Larkin and Jeff Richey both return to defend the goal for Wave United. Both turned in excellent performances in 2003, with the 28-year old Larkin (10-9-0, 1.26) expected to begin the campaign as the primary starter over the 26-year old Richey (8-1-0, 0.94 GAA)
One of Milwaukee's biggest challenges, as it was last season, will be trying to overcome a late start due to conflicts with the indoor schedule. While the 2003 squad had nearly a month to prepare for the season opener (the final indoor game was April 18th, while the A-League season opener on May 16th), this year's edition won't have as much time with only 14 days between the final indoor game (May 1st) and the A-League season opener on May 15th.
"Our situation is very unique," said the 42-year old Kramer, who has been with the Wave organization as a coach since 1997. "We're the only professional organization that competes on a year round basis. Because of this, our outdoor schedule is extremely compressed and demanding. Therefore, versatility within our squad is very important. The addition of several new players will provide us with options to help us meet the demands of the schedule."
USL First Division Stories from May 10, 2004
- Wave United Weekly - Milwaukee Wave United
- Battery to play Mariners - Charleston Battery
- Wave United signs Sean Reti - 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.
