WarrenWallace
17 Aug 2005, 02:49 PM
MLS COMMISSIONER DON GARBER TO MEET WITH MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER AND MAYOR TOM BARRETT
News From Milwaukee Professional Soccer
Contact: 414-908-4252
Milwaukee (August 17, 2005) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will travel to Milwaukee Thursday, September 8th to meet with parties interested in the expansion of MLS to Wisconsin including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Professional Soccer CEO Peter Wilt announced today. Garber will have a full day that will include meetings with the Mayor, several Milwaukee Aldermen, Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC's investor group, leaders of Wisconsin's soccer community, the media and a group of fans of Milwaukee's future MLS team.
"This is a very important trip for Milwaukee's hopes to land an expansion team and develop a 20,000 seat soccer stadium downtown for the 2008 season," Wilt said. "This trip is intended to impress the Commissioner with the viability of this market and to educate the leaders of Milwaukee and Wisconsin on the benefits of having an MLS team here. This will be an opportunity for him to learn more about the market and for our investors to learn more about the League's expectations and requirements," Wilt said.
"We look forward to meeting with Milwaukee leaders in September to discuss the possibility of a new expansion club in the city," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "MLS continues to believe that with Peter Wilt's leadership and under the right conditions, Milwaukee can become one of the great soccer cities in the United States and the world."
The Commissioner's tentative itinerary in Milwaukee follows:
1:00 pm: Lunch meeting with investors at Milwaukee Professional Soccer offices 3127 W. Wisconsin Avenue.
2:00 pm: Meeting with Wisconsin soccer leaders at MPS offices
3:00 pm: Meeting with Aldermen at City Hall
3:30 pm: Meeting with Mayor Tom Barrett at City Hall
4:15 pm: Media round table at offices of Milwaukee Professional Soccer
5:30 pm: 30-minute round table with Milwaukee MLS Supporters at Highbury Pub
The Commissioner's itinerary will be confirmed the week prior to his arrival. Garber recently confirmed the 2007 season is the target for the next round of expansion. His comments indicated that Toronto is at the top of the list of candidates, but Milwaukee is close behind. "We were in Toronto (July 28th) to discuss the future of MLS in Canada," he said, adding that Houston, Cleveland, Milwaukee and St. Louis are also on the list. "Our ultimate goal is to be an 18-team league across the United States and Canada at some point in the future."
MILWAUKEE MLS SUPPORTERS HOLD FIRST FORMAL MEETING: Fans of Milwaukee's future Major League Soccer team met Wednesday night at the Highbury Pub in Bayview to organize and plan their support of Milwaukee Professional Soccer's efforts to develop a 20,000 seat soccer stadium in downtown Milwaukee and bring an MLS team to Wisconsin. "Our meeting (last night) was very productive. I think that everyone who attended the meeting brought some ideas to the table," said Greenfield's Zach Schaefer. "I think that those ideas are going to pay off when we all gather and enjoy the atmosphere and support that will be generated during the upcoming Fire vs. Wave United game. Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire will take on Milwaukee Wave United Saturday, September 10 at Uihlein Soccer Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
"As the meeting got into full swing, it became clear to me that the entire group wanted the same thing from this upcoming match, and I think that common goal, a game full of passion both on the field and in the stands, is what's going to fuel our efforts in the next few weeks," said Shaefer who is a founding member of the organization. "After the meeting broke up, several of us stayed at The Highbury to socialize and chat about soccer and other Milwaukee-related topics. It was a productive and enjoyable evening, in the good company of some new friends," Schaefer concluded.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER'S CHICAGO FIRE SCHEDULED FOR EXHIBTION VS. MILWAUKEE WAVE UNITED AT UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 7:00 PM
Milwaukee Wave United will be hosting a special outdoor exhibition game Saturday, September 10th at 7:00 pm at Uihlein Soccer Park. The game will feature the current MLS-leading Chicago Fire and the Milwaukee Wave United, which is composed mainly of members of the defending MISL champion Milwaukee Wave.
Milwaukee Professional Soccer announced today that it will host an informational tent at the exhibition game to promote its efforts to create a mixed use development in downtown Milwaukee. The development will include retail, commercial and residential components along with a 20,000 seat soccer stadium to house an MLS expansion team for the 2008 season.. The contest is Wave United's final game of the 2005 summer season. The game will feature some of the best outdoor and indoor soccer players in the country. The Chicago Fire roster includes Racine native and three-time MLS Cup winner Jesse Marsch and former UW-Milwaukee star Tony Sanneh. Sanneh also played for the Milwaukee Rampage, the inuagural season MLS Cup Champion DC United, Nuremburg and Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga. He was also recognized as one of the top players in the 2002 World Cup, while leading the United States to the quarter finals in Korea.
"This is a unique opportunity for Milwaukee soccer fans to see one of the top outdoor soccer teams in the United States battle one of the top indoor soccer teams," said Peter Wilt who is the outgoing General Manager of the League-leading Chicago Fire and newly named Chief Executive Officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer. "While obviously it's not in an ideal venue for Major League Soccer, we (Milwaukee Professional Soccer) expect that this game and the rival fans on hand will display some of the atmosphere and passion that outdoor soccer on a high level can generate in this city," Wilt said. "Uihlein Soccer Park is one of the best youth soccer complexes in the world and the intimate setting of its stadium field will allow fans to get an up close look at some of this country's greatest indoor and outdoor soccer players," Wilt said.
The game fills an unusual gap in the Fire's schedule caused by a scheduling conflict at Soldier Field with a Rolling Stones concert. "Due to the unexpected week off from MLS competition, we expect to use many of our first line players. I look forward to seeing how the Fire matches up against the indoor players and to seeing the great atmosphere created by both Milwaukee and Chicago fans," Wilt said.
All tickets for Wave United games are priced at eight dollars ($8.00) general admission. All home games are played at Uihlein Soccer Park on Milwaukee's northwest side at 7101 West Good Hope Road. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call the Wave United at (414) 224-WAVE (9283) and make sure to ask about special promotions and group rates. For more information about Wave United soccer, please visit www.milwaukeewave.com/united (http://www.milwaukeewave.com/united).
ABOUT MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER, LLC:
Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC was formed in 2005 with the goal of developing a 20,000-seat soccer stadium in downtown Milwaukee and securing a Major League Soccer team for Wisconsin in 2008. A group of local investors formed Pegasus ParkEast Partners, LLC to become the sole managing member of Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC. On July 13, 2005, MPS hired veteran soccer executive Peter J. Wilt as Chief Executive Officer to lead its efforts. Wilt, a longtime Milwaukee area resident joined MPS from MLS' Chicago Fire where he successfully launched the expansion team in 1998. For more information on Milwaukee Professional Soccer, visit its website at www.milwaukeeprosoccer.com (http://www.milwaukeeprosoccer.com)
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER:
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is America's only Division I men's outdoor professional soccer league featuring top stars from the United States and around the world. The twelve teams that comprise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Club Deportivo Chivas USA, FC Dallas, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and the defending champion D.C. United. Major League Soccer's tenth season kicked off April 2, 2005. For more information about MLS, visit the League's official Web site at www.mlsnet.com (http://www.mlsnet.com).
News From Milwaukee Professional Soccer
Contact: 414-908-4252
Milwaukee (August 17, 2005) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will travel to Milwaukee Thursday, September 8th to meet with parties interested in the expansion of MLS to Wisconsin including Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Professional Soccer CEO Peter Wilt announced today. Garber will have a full day that will include meetings with the Mayor, several Milwaukee Aldermen, Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC's investor group, leaders of Wisconsin's soccer community, the media and a group of fans of Milwaukee's future MLS team.
"This is a very important trip for Milwaukee's hopes to land an expansion team and develop a 20,000 seat soccer stadium downtown for the 2008 season," Wilt said. "This trip is intended to impress the Commissioner with the viability of this market and to educate the leaders of Milwaukee and Wisconsin on the benefits of having an MLS team here. This will be an opportunity for him to learn more about the market and for our investors to learn more about the League's expectations and requirements," Wilt said.
"We look forward to meeting with Milwaukee leaders in September to discuss the possibility of a new expansion club in the city," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "MLS continues to believe that with Peter Wilt's leadership and under the right conditions, Milwaukee can become one of the great soccer cities in the United States and the world."
The Commissioner's tentative itinerary in Milwaukee follows:
1:00 pm: Lunch meeting with investors at Milwaukee Professional Soccer offices 3127 W. Wisconsin Avenue.
2:00 pm: Meeting with Wisconsin soccer leaders at MPS offices
3:00 pm: Meeting with Aldermen at City Hall
3:30 pm: Meeting with Mayor Tom Barrett at City Hall
4:15 pm: Media round table at offices of Milwaukee Professional Soccer
5:30 pm: 30-minute round table with Milwaukee MLS Supporters at Highbury Pub
The Commissioner's itinerary will be confirmed the week prior to his arrival. Garber recently confirmed the 2007 season is the target for the next round of expansion. His comments indicated that Toronto is at the top of the list of candidates, but Milwaukee is close behind. "We were in Toronto (July 28th) to discuss the future of MLS in Canada," he said, adding that Houston, Cleveland, Milwaukee and St. Louis are also on the list. "Our ultimate goal is to be an 18-team league across the United States and Canada at some point in the future."
MILWAUKEE MLS SUPPORTERS HOLD FIRST FORMAL MEETING: Fans of Milwaukee's future Major League Soccer team met Wednesday night at the Highbury Pub in Bayview to organize and plan their support of Milwaukee Professional Soccer's efforts to develop a 20,000 seat soccer stadium in downtown Milwaukee and bring an MLS team to Wisconsin. "Our meeting (last night) was very productive. I think that everyone who attended the meeting brought some ideas to the table," said Greenfield's Zach Schaefer. "I think that those ideas are going to pay off when we all gather and enjoy the atmosphere and support that will be generated during the upcoming Fire vs. Wave United game. Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire will take on Milwaukee Wave United Saturday, September 10 at Uihlein Soccer Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
"As the meeting got into full swing, it became clear to me that the entire group wanted the same thing from this upcoming match, and I think that common goal, a game full of passion both on the field and in the stands, is what's going to fuel our efforts in the next few weeks," said Shaefer who is a founding member of the organization. "After the meeting broke up, several of us stayed at The Highbury to socialize and chat about soccer and other Milwaukee-related topics. It was a productive and enjoyable evening, in the good company of some new friends," Schaefer concluded.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER'S CHICAGO FIRE SCHEDULED FOR EXHIBTION VS. MILWAUKEE WAVE UNITED AT UIHLEIN SOCCER PARK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 7:00 PM
Milwaukee Wave United will be hosting a special outdoor exhibition game Saturday, September 10th at 7:00 pm at Uihlein Soccer Park. The game will feature the current MLS-leading Chicago Fire and the Milwaukee Wave United, which is composed mainly of members of the defending MISL champion Milwaukee Wave.
Milwaukee Professional Soccer announced today that it will host an informational tent at the exhibition game to promote its efforts to create a mixed use development in downtown Milwaukee. The development will include retail, commercial and residential components along with a 20,000 seat soccer stadium to house an MLS expansion team for the 2008 season.. The contest is Wave United's final game of the 2005 summer season. The game will feature some of the best outdoor and indoor soccer players in the country. The Chicago Fire roster includes Racine native and three-time MLS Cup winner Jesse Marsch and former UW-Milwaukee star Tony Sanneh. Sanneh also played for the Milwaukee Rampage, the inuagural season MLS Cup Champion DC United, Nuremburg and Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga. He was also recognized as one of the top players in the 2002 World Cup, while leading the United States to the quarter finals in Korea.
"This is a unique opportunity for Milwaukee soccer fans to see one of the top outdoor soccer teams in the United States battle one of the top indoor soccer teams," said Peter Wilt who is the outgoing General Manager of the League-leading Chicago Fire and newly named Chief Executive Officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer. "While obviously it's not in an ideal venue for Major League Soccer, we (Milwaukee Professional Soccer) expect that this game and the rival fans on hand will display some of the atmosphere and passion that outdoor soccer on a high level can generate in this city," Wilt said. "Uihlein Soccer Park is one of the best youth soccer complexes in the world and the intimate setting of its stadium field will allow fans to get an up close look at some of this country's greatest indoor and outdoor soccer players," Wilt said.
The game fills an unusual gap in the Fire's schedule caused by a scheduling conflict at Soldier Field with a Rolling Stones concert. "Due to the unexpected week off from MLS competition, we expect to use many of our first line players. I look forward to seeing how the Fire matches up against the indoor players and to seeing the great atmosphere created by both Milwaukee and Chicago fans," Wilt said.
All tickets for Wave United games are priced at eight dollars ($8.00) general admission. All home games are played at Uihlein Soccer Park on Milwaukee's northwest side at 7101 West Good Hope Road. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call the Wave United at (414) 224-WAVE (9283) and make sure to ask about special promotions and group rates. For more information about Wave United soccer, please visit www.milwaukeewave.com/united (http://www.milwaukeewave.com/united).
ABOUT MILWAUKEE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER, LLC:
Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC was formed in 2005 with the goal of developing a 20,000-seat soccer stadium in downtown Milwaukee and securing a Major League Soccer team for Wisconsin in 2008. A group of local investors formed Pegasus ParkEast Partners, LLC to become the sole managing member of Milwaukee Professional Soccer, LLC. On July 13, 2005, MPS hired veteran soccer executive Peter J. Wilt as Chief Executive Officer to lead its efforts. Wilt, a longtime Milwaukee area resident joined MPS from MLS' Chicago Fire where he successfully launched the expansion team in 1998. For more information on Milwaukee Professional Soccer, visit its website at www.milwaukeeprosoccer.com (http://www.milwaukeeprosoccer.com)
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER:
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is America's only Division I men's outdoor professional soccer league featuring top stars from the United States and around the world. The twelve teams that comprise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Club Deportivo Chivas USA, FC Dallas, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and the defending champion D.C. United. Major League Soccer's tenth season kicked off April 2, 2005. For more information about MLS, visit the League's official Web site at www.mlsnet.com (http://www.mlsnet.com).