Wave announce 7 more player signings

FIVE ADDITIONAL VETERANS JOIN WAVE ROSTER
Trio had played in FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil; 2 rookies also added


MILWAUKEE (Oct. 22, 2008) — Five more veterans from the Milwaukee Wave’s 22-8 club of last year have signed Xtreme Soccer League contracts for 2008-09 and were assigned to the team. At least nine of the 15 roster spots will be filled with players who donned Wave jerseys last season.

“With those returning players, I think we have a great core of guys not only to ring in the 25th year of the Milwaukee Wave, but the first year of the XSL,” said Keith Tozer, Wave head coach and vice president of soccer operations.

Goalkeeper Nick Vorberg, defender Joe Hammes and midfielder Brett Wiesner all just returned from representing the United States at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Vorberg posted a 17-8 record last season and played at least 1,400 minutes for the fourth consecutive season. He is 74-45 in five seasons with the Wave. Hammes, a Cedarburg native, recorded 20 points and 26 blocks in 24 games a year ago. Wiesner, from Brookfield, broke out in his third season with the Wave, playing all 30 games and tallying 37 points.

Brazilian Jonathan Santos shined after his mid-season move from midfield to the back. He had 23 points and 19 blocks in 23 games and recorded one of the season’s best goals against New Jersey on March 16, faking Ironmen keeper Tony Meola off his feet and flicking the ball over his outstretched arms.

Also back is midfielder Chico. From Chapeco, Brazil, Chico played in 16 games as a rookie and recorded two assists.

In addition to the veterans, Tozer has inked a pair of rookies. Marco Terminesi is a forward who played four years at the University of Louisville. As a senior, he led the team in goals (eight) and points (19) as the Cardinals advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Travis McKenzie was a college draft choice of the Wave last spring after finishing a decorated career at Duquesne University. A midfielder, McKenzie was first-team All-Atlantic 10 as a sophomore and junior, and second-team as a senior. He finished his career third on the Dukes’ all-time scoring list.

“I’m excited to add two young players in Marco and Travis who have a lot of talent, goal-scoring ability, toughness and coachability, which has been a trademark of the Wave throughout the years,” Tozer said.

These seven players join Marcelo Fontana, Giuliano Oliviero, Marcio Leite and Marcel Feenstra, who signed last month. Additional negotiations continue, and Tozer will conduct an open tryout on Nov. 21 as he continues to fill out both the Wave and Wave Armada rosters.

The Milwaukee Wave open their Silver Anniversary season at 6 p.m. Dec. 13 with a home game against the Detroit Ignition. The inaugural season of the Xtreme Soccer League features Milwaukee, Detroit, the Chicago Storm and New Jersey Ironmen playing a 20-game schedule from mid-December through April.