MILWAUKEE (Nov. 2, 2009) - Since leaving the Milwaukee Wave three years ago in an expansion draft, Hewerton Moreira - known simply as Hewerton -developed into one of indoor soccer's most dangerous scorers with Detroit and Philadelphia.
This year he comes home to Milwaukee, bringing his dangerous target play and customary goal-scoring backflips to the city that gave him his start in the American indoor game.
Hewerton (pronounced "Everton") was tearing up the National Indoor Soccer League for the Philadelphia KiXX last season before a knee injury ended his campaign. Through nine games, he had 47 points (4 3PG, 13 2PG, 17 A). Despite missing half the 18-game season, he finished seventh in the league in scoring.
He led Detroit in scoring the previous season, with 77 points (5 3PG, 19 2PG, 24 A) as the Ignition tied the Wave atop the league with a 22-8 mark.
"Hewerton started early in his career with us, and he's become one of the top target players in indoor," said Keith Tozer, Wave head coach and vice president of soccer operations. "His addition up top gives us another bona fide, veteran target.
"He was a fan favorite both on and off the field, and we look forward to having him back in a Wave uniform."
In two seasons with the Wave, 2004-05 and 2005-06, Hewerton played in 47 regular season games and tallied 20 points. On a roster that featured big-time scorers such as Greg Howes, Todd Dusosky, Giuliano Oliviero and Michael King, he was left unprotected in the expansion draft and the Ignition claimed him. But he always had his eye on Milwaukee, for a number of reasons.
"First, the organization of the Wave is so professional, being around 25 years," Hewerton said. "They make it very easy to work in a team like that. Also, the experience I had when I was there when we won the championship (in 2005). Working with Coach Tozer will be very good for me.
"Also, I love the city, my wife is from Milwaukee, I met her the first time I was there, so that makes it easy for me."
The Wave begin practice for the 2009-10 season on Tuesday. They start on the road at Monterrey (Nov. 22) and Rockford (Nov. 27) before the home opener, 2 p.m. Dec. 6 against La Raza de Monterrey. Season tickets are available now and group and individual game tickets can be purchased by calling 414-224-9283.
