Good eye... Milwaukee outdoor football isn't dead by any means.

Having Wilt in your corner is about as good as it gets so I'm sure we'll be seeing something out of Milwaukee before the summer is over.

I always did like Uhlien or however you spell it, sure wish they got something going in the 1st division but we'll wait for more news I suppose.

How the heck do you pronounce that anyhow?

E-Line (Uihlein)

One of the first brewmeister families in the city of Milwaukee. (Schlitz to be exact.)

Don't count on it. From what I understand, the Milwaukee MLS effort is running into substantial difficulties besides apparently not being seriously considered by MLS in any of their recent pronouncements about expansion possibilities for the next few years.

I agree with you, Bernie. This City is severely fractured at all levels as far as soccer solidarity is concerned.

One other thought.

Given the right set of circumstances, I still believe this can be a great city for USL1. You don't need the political support and infrastructure inherent in bringing an MLS team into town.

Been there, done that. TWICE! Milwaukee Rampage and Milwaukee Wave United. Can someone make it work in Milwaukee, or will the public think only of the failed franchises and stay away in droves?

This would be the basic story I'd like to see. (This is only my imagination run wild.)

"In what can only be described as a stroke of genius, the new owners of the Milwaukee Rampage and Wave United have reached an agreement to operate a combined but separate Milwaukee USL1 and MISL franchise, in which Keith Tozer will continue to oversee the Wave United's very successful summer camps in addition to continuing his duties as Head Coach of the indoor Milwaukee Wave, while Boro Sucevic will return in the position of Head Coach of the outdoor Milwaukee Rampage. The Rampage had previously enjoyed a successful nine-year run in the city, including a 2002 USL1 (A-League) championship. The joint venture of the two former adversaries will afford multiple opportunities for all players, will close an antagonistic chapter in the clubs' long and storied histories, and will unify the large youth, ethnic and pro soccer organizations in the city."

Something like that. It's all here for the making.

Crazy idea? I think not.

What would it take to make the story beyond your imagination? New owners? New money? New organizations? Burying of old hatchets (preferably not in backs)?

Assuming the glass is half full, what needs to be done to fill it?

In my wildest imagination, Milwaukee USL and Milwaukee MLS work hand-in-hand with each other, as well as the Wave, Bavarians, Kickers, UWM, Marquette, WYSA, and whoever else (Cruz Azul?) with which they need to work to field and support two professional outdoor teams in Milwaukee. There's no worrying about turf, but rather the priority is on synergy.

Put MLS at the top of the hierarchy, if you must, and use the others as a feeder system below it. (Personally, I see the MLS and USL as American and National leagues of American soccer. I enjoy both.)

Such a wish is more than likely naive and uninformed. Fill me in, if you will.

Anyone care to elaborate?

The necessary scope of that elaboration would require a considerable consulting fee. (ha ha)

One opinion I'd feel comfortable offering is that Milwaukee cannot support both a USL and an MLS franchise.

I am convinced, however, that the brains of the former Milwaukee Rampage and Milwaukee Wave have the ability to run a healthy (note the word "healthy") USL franchise. Some think this unthinkable. They might be the ones referenced in your "bury the hatchet" statement. Others would say the answer's staring us in the face and we're too dumb to see. If the two of them can't figure it out together, yes, new ownership.

I can't speak to the MISL portion. (It's my understanding the Wave indoor team is sustained by the Wave's successful summer camp program.) I would think a unification could only bolster this area.

Both the Rampage and Wave have/had weaknesses off the field, but they both have/had strengths. Combine the best of both worlds, fill in a couple missing pieces, and what might you get?

My feeling is that Milwaukee politicians are smart enough (did I say that?) to realize they can't afford to deal with an MLS issue now, if ever. There are a number of highly-publicized, negative things going on in city and county government - trouble among county board members, pension scandal, budget slashing, potential tax increase, negative police publicity, gun violence). Add this to the A-listers (real estate investors, other sports owners) who have a vested interest. There's no way to spin the MLS project so it will be palatable to the private sector, the general public, and government officials. No way. The politicians know that. When Peter Wilt's best chance is with a local authority, well . . .

On another note, there are, what, 60 or so soccer clubs in the State, a majority of which are in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Each club has it's own traditions, its own youth and/or pro programs, its own agenda, its own goals, its own territory. But to unify the Rampage and Wave would at least unify a majority, if not all, on the youth level. Now there's a start.

New money? Of course, that's one thing that would always be welcome.

I've gone on too long. I apologize for the haphazard line of thought in ths post, but it came to me as is and I don't have interest in re-arranging it.

By the way, you mentioned no worrying about turf with the priority on synergy. You must be dreaming. It's all about territory.

Geez...

When a Thunder supporter has to be the one to post a link to the latest Milwaukee pro soccer news...

http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2007/04/05/sports/other_sports/doc461483402a6b4230489067.txt

Hungry for the rivalry, I remain

That little old jersey collector

Me

Unfortunately, I don't see anything in that article that would qualify as something we didn't know a year-and-a-half ago.

Bring back the USL and you'll get your renewed rivalry!

By the way, give up on pogs already?

from what I've heard regarding trying to get public money for a private business....don't think it's going to get supports or will have backlash from the public.

anyone who truly believes in his/her own enterpreneurial insight need to put their money where his/her mouth is. do it yourself or don't do it at all

milwaukee has sufficient population to support a team of the global sport, if the owner knows how to unite the so many different ethnic groups in the area. most of those ethnic people cames from or are offsprings of soccer/football nations (i.e. asians, hispanics, italians, germans, etc...)