WAVE EMBARRASS COMETS ON HOME TURF

Dec 13, 2025 6 Views MASL

The seven-time champion Milwaukee Wave continued their early-season surge on Friday night, earning their first road win in Kansas City since the 2019 MASL campaign. In front of a packed Cable Dahmer Arena, Milwaukee overcame adversity, discipline moments, and a late push from the Comets to secure a statement victory.

Wave Head Coach Marcio Leite praised his team’s grit and mentality, citing their “willingness to win” and the commitment “to do whatever it takes” in a tough environment.

FIRST-HALF FIREWORKS

The opening 30 minutes mirrored Milwaukee’s battle in San Diego—tight, physical, and momentum-shifting. The Comets struck first, but the Wave quickly responded behind a first-half brace from Alex Sanchez and a clinical finish from Max Ferdinand, sending the match into halftime deadlocked at 3–3.

Emotions boiled over late in the half when Christian Andreaos and Derek Huffman clashed in front of both benches. The exchange resulted in a blue card to Andreaos and a straight red to Huffman, further fueling an already fierce rivalry.

WAVE TAKE CONTROL

Milwaukee entered the second half having out-shot Kansas City 25–10, and that offensive pressure finally broke the match open. Leite emphasized precision at halftime, and the Wave delivered.

Milwaukee owned the third quarter 4–1 with goals from:

Mario Alvarez (2)*
Shawn “Squid” Acqueta
Ricardo Carvalho

With attention to detail and relentless attacking movement, the Wave built an 8–4 advantage midway through the fourth.

CLOSING THE DOOR

Kansas City mounted a late surge, capitalizing on a shootout opportunity after a tripping call on Oscar Flores and adding a sixth-attacker goal to pull within two. But the Wave sealed the result when Javier Steinwasher scored into the empty net, capping off a dominant performance and complementing Sanchez’s top-corner strike earlier in the quarter.

Sanchez—who finished with a hat trick—stressed Milwaukee’s mindset postgame: “Can’t stop here, gotta keep going.”

Coach Leite echoed that sentiment, noting the need to be “smarter managing the game with a lead,” reinforcing his high standards even in a road victory.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Wave shift immediately to preparation for Sunday’s matchup with the St. Louis Ambush, the final stop of their Missouri road trip. Leite highlighted the team’s “healthy competitive culture” and confirmed his group is “fit and aggressive” heading into the next battle. He also hinted at the possibility of two new players making their season debuts.