Wisconsin Soccer Central

While the Milwaukee Wave play indoor soccer, they have many connections to another indoor version of the sport: futsal.

Wave coach Keith Tozer has been the U.S. Futsal national team coach for the past 16 years and uses futsal as part of the Wave's training program. Most Milwaukee players have futsal experience: Joe Hammes (Cedarburg), Nick Vorberg and Nick Perera have played for the U.S. national team, Giuliano Oliviero and Ian Bennett are part of the Canadian national team and Marcio Leite, Jonatan Santos,Hewerton and Luan Oliveira played professionally in their native Brazil.

Now the Wave are hoping to get young players more interested in futsal, which uses a heavier, low-bounce ball and is credited with helping players develop better touch and footskills. The team has teamed up with U.S. Youth Futsal to sponsor youth tournaments this winter at U.S. Cellular Arena, with Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 divisions.

All four tournaments are being held before Wave games, and the team entrance fee includes a ticket to that night's Wave game for each player. Team are guaranteed three games (split into two 10-minute halves), and tournament champions will receive medals and t-shirts and will be honored at halftime of the Wave match along with the runner-up team.

There is a maximum of eight boys teams and eight girls teams in each of the four age groups – the Boys Under-10 field already is full. For more information or to register,visit the Wave's website or call 414-224-9283.

Under-8

Date: Saturday, Dec. 22

Registration deadline: Saturday, Dec. 1

Entry fee: $300 per team

Roster: Maximum of 10 players

Under-10

Boys field already filled

Date: Saturday, Jan. 5

Registration deadline: Saturday, Dec. 15

Entry fee: $300 per team

Roster: Maximum of 10 players

Under-12

Date: Saturday, Jan. 19

Registration deadline: Saturday, Dec. 29

Entry fee: $360 per team

Roster: Maximum of 12 players

Under-14

Date: Saturday, Feb. 2

Registration deadline: Saturday, Jan. 12

Entry fee: $360 per team

Roster: Maximum of 12 players