Wisconsin Soccer Central

When it came to finding the successor to legendary coach Keith Tozer, the Milwaukee Wave's new ownership group didn't have to look too far.

Giuliano Oliviero, who starred for the team for 13 years and spent the past five seasons as a player-assistant to Tozer, was named the Wave's coach on Tuesday. The team will be part of the new Major Arena Soccer League in the 2014-15 season.

The 40-year-old Oliviero ranks fifth in Milwaukee history in goals, 2-point goals, assists and points – he was third on the team and ranked seventh in the Major Indoor Soccer League in assists last season with 16 in 18 appearances.

Oliviero steps onto the bench to replace Tozer, who has won more games than any coach in indoor soccer history. He compiled a 527-280 record in 22 seasons with the Wave and has a 746-449 overall mark in 31 seasons, but reached an agreement to leave the team in late March with two years left on his contract.

Oliviero started his pro career in 1990, earned one cap for the Canadian national team and played for the country's national Futsal squad. He's also been the director of coaching at SC Waukesha since 2006 and coached the Waukesha West boys team.

"I have been fortunate enough to be part of three Wave championship teams, and my immediate goal as head coach is bringing another title to this storied franchise," Oliviero said in a news release.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank (owners) Mike Zimmerman (and) Sue Black, and the rest of the Wave organization for showing confidence in me as we help lead the Wave into the MASL and a new era of indoor soccer in Milwaukee."

Another longtime Wave player will serve as Oliviero's assistant: Nick Vorberg.

He ranks second in wins, goals-against average and minutes played and third in saves in club goalkeeping history – a hand injury limited the 39-year-old to just four games last season. Vorberg also coaches at SC Waukesha and is the goalkeeper coach for the Marquette University men's and women's teams.

"Giuls and Nick give us our best chance to win now, and we expect that they will lead this club to its full potential," said Zimmerman, who joined Black in the Wave ownership group last month through his MKE Sports & Entertainment group.

Milwaukee went 16-4 and finished second in the MISL during the 2013-14 regular season, and lost to Missouri in a mini-game tiebreaker in the playoff semifinals. The league collapsed shortly after the season concluded in March, with six of the seven MISL sides joining teams from the Professional Arena Soccer League to form the 24-team MASL.

The MASL season is expected to begin in late October, with the league schedule to be released in September.

On Twitter: @Oliviero21 @NickVorberg