MASL SELECTS ALVAREZ FOR DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS.

By Henry Amini.

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) announced Wednesday that Milwaukee Wave defender, Mario Alvarez, has been named Defensive Player of The Week for Week 12 of MASL action. 

Alvarez was a force to be reckoned with in Tuesday morning’s game against the Kansas City Comets. The matchup was a battle for the first place spot and, when it mattered most, Alvarez stepped up. He scored five points in his four goal performance and was indirectly tied to nearly every Milwaukee Wave goal. This game in succession with the weekend’s road trip to the west coast saw an eight point week for the Defensive Player of The Week. 

“He's been one of the most consistent players. I can't remember many games that Mario had a bad game,” Head Coach Marcio Leite said. Alvarez has recorded a point in all but two games this season and he stakes his claim on the MASL statistical leaderboard in all three major offensive categories. As of Thursday, he leads the league in assists with 15 alongside 16 goals, and he’s contributed the fourth most points in the MASL with 31. 

“I'm not much of a vocal leader, you know?  I like to perform and show the guys my leadership by how I play,” Alvarez said. In the absence of indoor soccer legend Ian Bennett, Alvarez has worn the captain's band for the Milwaukee Wave and his humility speaks volumes to the style of leadership he’s brought to the team. 

”Mario has been exceptional on both sides of the ball and also off the field,

we're extremely proud of everything he's doing and looking forward for him to do even more,” Leite said. Alvarez began his indoor soccer career as a midfielder before transitioning to defense, mirroring the career of Leite who went through a similar transition in his time playing under former head coach Giuliano Oliviero. The contrast and vision of a technically gifted defender allow players like Alvarez to cleanly win back possession and start a counter attack. 

“Sometimes players don’t want to take a shot because I’m tight on them…I do like one-v-one battles and, you know, I like to stand on my own, ” Alvarez said. With such an impressive offensive catalogue, oftentimes the defensive side of his game goes unrecognized. Alvarez’s ability to defend in one-on-one situations is a big part of what sparks this Milwaukee Wave offense to so much success. 

In his 11th season of indoor soccer, Mario Alvarez is having arguably his best year yet. Just 16 games into the season, he’s already scored more points than in any previous season and he’s averaging an astounding 1.9 points per game. Alvarez has been converting efficiently, as well. With the Wave’s refined offensive system, he’s found higher quality chances and he’s scoring at a rate of 32.0%, more efficiently than he ever has before when shooting more than ten shots in any particular season. 

MASL fans will have two more chances to witness Mario Alvarez in his best MASL season yet if they tune in this weekend. 

The Milwaukee Wave will face the Baltimore Blast at SECU Arena in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, February 21 at 5:00pm CST. 

The following day, the Milwaukee Wave will host the St. Louis Ambush at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin  on Sunday, February 22 at 3:05pm CST.