2012-13 MISL Season Preview
Monday, October 29, 2012
MILWAUKEE WAVE
Coach: Keith Tozer
2011-12 Regular Season: 18-6
2012 Playoffs: Missouri, W 2-0; Baltimore, W 2-0.
The Lowdown: The two-time defending champion retains the core of the team that won those titles, with Keith Tozer remaining at the helm after passing the 700-win plateau last season. Along with the Baltimore Blast, their protagonists in the past two finals, the Wave remain the yardstick the rest of the league measures itself by, and as their 12-2 record at U.S. Cellular Arena last season will attest, any trip to Milwaukee will be a difficult one.
Key Departures: Tozer’s captain on the U.S. National Futsal Team, Matt Stewart, is the only major departure from the Wave’s lineup, with the midfielder having joined the Chicago Soul for their inaugural season. Stewart suffered injuries each of the past two seasons, but was a strong creative midfielder when healthy.
Key Returnees: The goalkeeping tandem of Marcel Feenstra and Nick Vorberg both return after both posting sub-11.00 points-against averages a season ago. Tozer is also expecting more from Nic Perera, an All-Rookie selection last season, and Fabinho as they move into bigger roles on the team, while Marcio Leite will continue to act as the main playmaker for the side.
Key Additions: While coaching the U.S. Futsal Team this summer, Tozer was impressed by Israel Sesay of USL PRO’s Los Angeles Blues, and the 22-year-old could have an impact in his rookie indoor season. The other main addition is that of Luan Sales Oliveira, who arrives from Brazil to provide creativity from the midfield.
Coach’s View: “We hopefully have built a culture here where to wear the Wave uniform means certain things. It means you have to work hard, it means you have to sacrifice, it means you have to be dedicated and committed. We work long, we work hard, we work smart, and some guys buy into it, and some guys don’t, and all the men that have been here, present and in the past, have bought into it and it’s been successful for us.” – Keith Tozer
