What are the long-term goals for the club?
To be recognized as one of the elite soccer clubs in the world. A club that has the unique ability to attract players and fans by parlaying professional indoor and outdoor soccer.
What are the short-term goals for the club?
To build an entertaining, winning team, and develop talent within our reserve system.
You've won championships at almost every level you've competed in so what do you anticipate as far as success goes in this first season in the A-League?
I anticipate fielding a consistent team that has a legitimate shot of winning each time we step on the field.
You've been involved with the Wave for several years. What have you learned in your duties in those capacities that will serve you well in coaching the outdoor game at this level?
When I started coaching professionally as an assistant six years ago with Milwaukee Wave Coach Keith Tozer, I started making a list of qualities or attributes that I felt help enable Keith to become indoor soccer's all time win leader. That list is over 50. While I won't go into the details of how I will manage, I can tell you that I will be organized, have outstanding personnel, and have the Milwaukee Wave United prepared to compete in every game.
How would you compare the A-League to the indoor leagues?
Well, I do know there are no boards in the A-League. Then again, there is no rain or cold indoors. The Major Indoor Soccer League is the top professional indoor league in the United States. I believe the talent in the A-League is similar. I felt when Rochester of the A-League won the Unites States Open Cup, the indoor league at the time; the National Professional Soccer League, missed a tremendous marketing opportunity when you consider the fact two-thirds of that team also played indoor soccer. Also, their fine coach Pat Ercoli was an MISL all-star in the early 1980's, and current VP/COO/GM Chris Economides operated the indoor team in Kansas City.
Will you approach this task in the same manner that you have with University High or Mequon?
The passion for the game has been, and hopefully will always be there. The answer to your question though, is no I will not approach the task of managing a professional team the same manner I would a school or club team.
What lessons do you think you've learned in working on youth development that you can bring to some of the younger A-League players?
I've learned that this generation of players needs to be handled in a certain way. Coddled, cuddled, pampered, whatever you want to call it. I'm certainly not a guy who likes to have to do it that way, but that is the reality of what we are dealing with some younger players. The old school approach doesn't seem to work as well with many young players nowadays. It takes them a while to understand that it is important to "check their ego at the door." If they do that and listen, they have a better chance to succeed in the game.
Milwaukee Rampage vets like Dan Popik, David Lara, and Steve Bernal were at the press conference announcing the new team. Did you meet or speak with any of them?
Yes, briefly.
Will Greg Howes be coming over from the indoor team?
I don't know that at this point.
Are there any specific players you have your eye on signing?
I can tell you there are a lot of players that I have my eye on and will constantly search for more talent. To tell you who those players are would not be very wise on my part.
What are the positives concerning the move back from Franklin to Uihlein?
Remember, we didn't move. The Milwaukee Wave United is a new franchise. There are many positives to starting this team at Uihlein Soccer Park. One, it is centrally located in the soccer community. We also presently have a very good working relationship with the complex, as our Milwaukee Wave indoor team trains there on Uihlein's three indoor fields. The fields are Astroplay and our players love it. Also, there are far fewer mosquitoes at Uihlein. People may laugh, but believe it or not, this has become a concern for some in our senior community.
Are there any negatives to the move?
I don't see any negatives to playing at Uihlein Soccer Park, although it is a little farther drive for some in the Hispanic community.
Do you think a lot of the fans out there will confuse this team with the Rampage despite the repeated statements that this is clearly an expansion club?
I don't think a lot of the fans will be confused. If you think about other professional sports leagues where a team has left the city or folded, and another team is awarded a franchise. We hear announcers or people say the wrong nickname of the new team not because they are confused, rather out of habit. Over time that fades, just ask the Houston Oilers. Oops, I mean the Houston Texans.
What kind of plans are there in place to cross-market the teams to get some of the great indoor crowds outside?
I can tell you the planning is continual. It really is a no-brainer. Carry the success of the Milwaukee Wave indoor team outdoors. We also have the largest summer camp program in the state with over 4200 kids in attendance last year. I know as a camp director it was difficult for me to promote the local professional outdoor team, when they were a direct competitor of ours. You also cannot underestimate the value of virtually doubling the media coverage for the Milwaukee Wave organization. We now will be covered by the media year round where as in the past the summer was a down time for us in that regard. I also feel the Wave United outdoor games will provide a terrific arena to sell more tickets to the indoor games.
Have you talked with Peter Wilt of the Chicago Fire about continuing the relationship between Milwaukee teams and MLS?
Yes, I have spoken to Peter Wilt in Chicago. It is my hope that we would have a good working relationship with all teams in the MLS, provided that relationship works for both clubs involved.
How much do you already know about the Rampage's earlier rivalry with the Thunder and their fans? Do you hope to preserve this rivalry or intensify it in any way?
I knew a great deal about that rivalry. I saw a lot of the games. I saw those teams at their best and worst. As far as preserving or intensifying that rivalry, I can tell you that no matter what sport is played, Wisconsin and Minnesota will be rivals. I called Coach Lagos the day after I was hired and spoke of my admiration and respect that I had for him as a person and coach. I vowed that Wave United would be a team that conducts itself in a manner respectful to the A-League, the referees, and our opponents. We spoke at length and I felt it was a great conversation.
What do you think about the competition around the league and in your division, if you've had a chance to look in on them?
I feel as if the A-League is going to be very competitive. There are so many good players available. I am familiar with the teams and personnel in the A-League and can tell you that every team in the league is capable of beating another, although some seem further along at this point.
What was the process like in getting the club up and running in what seems to have been such a short time?
The first part of the process involved developing a strategic plan. That plan was then communicated to our managers in an operational planning meeting, where eventually areas of responsibility were delegated.
Did the league waive any of the fees in order to get this team up and running before April?
That is a question for ownership.
How tight is your time schedule now in order to be ready to compete in the quickly coming Spring?
My time is tight, but I really enjoy what I do, so I don't mind spending the time doing it. I will finish my responsibility as assistant with the indoor team at the end of this season. I believe the main key is being well organized.
Did you have any direct dealings with Tim Holt or any of the other folks from the league or was that just Mr. Krause's department?
That was Mr. Krause and upper management's department.
What in particular are you looking forward to the most this season?
I'm looking forward to all of it. Enjoying the journey.
What would you like to tell Milwaukee fans?
Be proud of the fact that your soccer teams have won five championships in the past five years. In 1995, the Wisconsin Badger men's soccer team won the NCAA championship. The Bavarian Soccer Club won the men's United States Amateur Cup the past two years. Milwaukee Marquette and Brookfield East high schools boys teams, and the Waukesha Catholic girls team, have all been ranked Number One in the nation by USA Today newspaper. There have been numerous fine showings at both the Region 2 and National tournaments by Wisconsin boys and girls youth teams. Also, Bob Gansler, a native of Wisconsin, as coach led the Kansas City Wizards to a Major League Soccer championship. That is an awful lot to be proud of, wouldn't you say?
What should they look forward to this season?
The fans hopefully can look forward to some warmer weather. One of the goals of the club is to make the Milwaukee Wave United games an event that people of all ages, race, and gender will want to attend.
What does the club hope to see from the fans?
The club hopes to see many fans. If our fans provide us with the same energy that the fans provide us with at the indoor games, I will be extremely pleased.
Is there a message you'd like to send to all A-League fans?
Yes, I would like to tell all the fans that the Milwaukee Wave United is honored to have the opportunity to compete with the teams in the A-League and others. As I previously stated, we vow to do so in a manner that is respectful to the A-League, the referees, and our opponents. We also look forward to visiting the exciting and attractive cities the A-League offers, and hopefully meeting and interacting with many of you fans. Oh yeah fans, I almost forgot, don't forget to visit a-league.com on a regular basis for your up to date soccer news.
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