The longest-running professional indoor soccer franchise in
the country is undergoing its largest restructuring in decades. The Milwaukee
Wave announced last week that it would be parting ways with longtime head coach
Keith Tozer this off-season, as well as departing from the Major Indoor Soccer
League. First-year owner Sue Black made the news public at a press conference
last Friday.
Black also gave reporters an update on the lawsuit currently
in progress against herself and the organization for unpaid merchandise fees
and loans on Friday. She refused to go into detail, but assured concerned
parties that the issue was going forward peacefully and would soon be resolved.
Speculation on terms of Tozer's dismissal has been feverish
since the news broke. Both he and Black publicly stated the cancellation of his
contract, which had two years remaining on it, was mutual. However, Tozer did
not mention the owner personally in his farewell thanks to the Wave franchise,
and he concluded his statement with a call to other teams looking for a coach.
Earlier this week, Tozer unveiled his next soccer-related
endeavor in southern Wisconsin, announcing the creation of the K. Tozer SoccerAcademy. The youth development program will be run in conjunction with former
Milwaukee Wave owner Jim Lindenberg.
Toner’s resume includes 21 seasons at the helm in Milwaukee,
with 20 postseason appearances and six league championships. His tenures
outside of the city are equally as lengthy and successful, highlighted by over
15 years of playing experience with six different organizations and a coaching
report that dates back to 1984. Tozer is also the current head coach of the
United States men's Futsal team, a position he has held since 1998.
A statement on the Milwaukee Wave's official website
clarified more questions regarding the league change this week. The page
announced that the franchise had been released by the Major Indoor Soccer
League and was now in talks with the Professional Arena Soccer League, the
largest professional indoor soccer league in the country. Four fellow former
MISL members are also negotiating contracts with PASL along with the Wave,
including Baltimore, Syracuse, Kansas City, and Rochester.
Assuming all five teams do end up signing with PASL, the
league will field over 20 teams for the 2014-15 indoor season.
