MILWAUKEE -- While the rest of the A-League season rolls on across the country, the Milwaukee Wave United continues to watch from the sidelines. Wave United's season opener, scheduled for Friday night against Edmonton at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, was postponed due to poor field conditions.
The game will be rescheduled for later in the season, team spokesman Tom Wynn said, with the target dates July 16 or 18 -- the Aviators' only other match in Milwaukee this season is slated for July 17.
However, those dates might not work at Uihlein because the complex is playing host to a United States Adult Soccer Association festival July 15-26.
Wynn said a day and half of steady rain left standing water in several areas at Uihlein, which has a history of poor drainage and already was near its saturation point earlier this week. A-League operations director Tim Holt was on hand and agreed with the decision to call off the game, Wynn said.
Milwaukee, the last of the 16 A-League teams to start the season, will now open Friday at rival Minnesota in a game that also serves as the first leg of a U.S. Open Cup qualifier. Wave United's home opener is now scheduled for Saturday against the Thunder in the return leg.
By the time Milwaukee kicks off Friday night in St. Paul, Minn., all of the other A-League teams will have played at least two games -- six teams will have at least five games under their belts, led by Puerto Rico (eight) and Richmond (seven).
The delayed opener probably was good news on the field for Wave United.
Sixteen of the 24 players on their roster have had limited practice time outdoors this spring because they were playing with the Major Indoor Soccer League's Milwaukee Wave until May 1.
If Wave United had played Friday, they would have been without defender Chris Morman and forward Todd Dusosky, who are both getting married this weekend, along with defender Troy Dusosky, Todd's brother. All three are expected to return in time for next weekend's games.
