Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper Jerry Perez, known for his offensive skills, scored seven goals during the regular season. His contributions were crucial in leading the team to the MASL championship finals.
Key points
Jerry Perez is a goalkeeper for the Milwaukee Wave.
He scored seven goals in the regular season.
Perez often plays as a sixth attacker.
His playoff goal was crucial for the team's advancement.
First see that it says Gerardo Perez. Nobody calls him that. The kids he grew up with around Round Lake, Illinois, struggled to roll the first r. So he’s Jerry. Even his mother calls him Jerry.
And then note the position. It says goalkeeper. But that doesn’t fully describe the role played by the 21-year-old rookie on a veteran team about to play for the MASL championship.
Perez spent so much time going forward as a sixth attacker that he finished the regular season with seven goals, tied for eighth-most on the team. Then, his first goal in the playoffs was vital to getting the Wave into the finals.
Milwaukee Wave rookie goalkeeper Gerardo Perez advances the ball as the sixth attacker in a playoff game against the Baltimore Blast.
Milwaukee Wave rookie goalkeeper Gerardo Perez advances the ball as the sixth attacker in a playoff game against the Baltimore Blast.
“He’s a special player,” Wave coach Marcio Leite said. “He’s a player that, yeah, he’s a goalie, but he probably could make the team as a field player. That’s how good he is and how comfortable on the ball and how skillful he is.”
The Wave is set to host the San Diego Sockers in Game 1 of the MASL Ron Newman Cup championship series at 6:35 p.m. April 22 at the UWM Panther Arena.
Q&A
How many goals did Jerry Perez score in the MASL regular season?
Jerry Perez scored seven goals during the MASL regular season.
What position does Jerry Perez play for the Milwaukee Wave?
Jerry Perez plays as a goalkeeper for the Milwaukee Wave.
Why is Jerry Perez considered an offensive player despite being a goalkeeper?
Jerry Perez is considered offensive because he often plays as a sixth attacker, contributing significantly to the team's scoring.
What was Jerry Perez's role in the Milwaukee Wave's playoff success?
Jerry Perez scored a vital goal in the playoffs that helped the Wave advance to the MASL finals.
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Game 2 is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. April 24 in Oceanside, California, and a potential Game 3 would take place there three days later.
Perez is the youngest in a family of four; his book-smart sister was more of a track athlete, his father had played soccer in Mexico and his mother says she played basketball although Jerry has yet to see photos to back that claim up.
He became a goalkeeper almost by accident when he was 11 or 12 while playing youth club soccer in northern Illinois.
“I was a field player at first,” Perez said after practice April 20 at Uihlein Soccer Park. “I wasn’t really the best and our team wasn’t the best.
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores (16) and Baltimore Blast defender Oumar Sylla (2) fight for the ball in a game Friday, April 10, 2026, at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baltimore won, 7-5.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Sanchez (80) and Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) react after Sanchez scored athe first goal of the game.
Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene makes a save as Blast forward Kevaughn Frater wrestles with Milwaukee Wave defender Tony Walls, left.
Baltimore Blast forward Nico Williams (6) and Milwaukee Wave midfielder Javier Steinwascher jostle for position.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Cesar Correa (15) hops over Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Julian Rodriguez (28) as Rodriguez makes a save.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Cesar Correa (15) reacts after a Baltimore Blast goal.
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores tries to split Baltimore Blast forward Wellington Bramusse (77) and defender Jake Schindler.
Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene blocks a shot by Baltimore Blast defender Pat Thompson.
Baltimore Blast midfielder Jonatas Melo celebrates a goal past Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Steinwascher heads the ball.
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez passes the ball under pressure from Baltimore Blast forward Jairo Guevara (19).
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Sanchez shoots.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Javier Steinwascher (97) and Baltimore Blast defender Marco Antonio Do Nascimento (11) work to head the ball in front of the Blast goal.
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores (16) tangles with Baltimore Blast defender Oumar Sylla (2) along the boards.
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores controls the ball in from of Baltimore Blast defender Ayoub Abdelkarim.
Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Julian Rodriguez (28) and forward Nico Williams get to the ball at the same time to prevent Milwaukee Wave from scoring.
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez congratulates forward Oscar Flores after Flores scored.
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores reacts after Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper Gerardo Perez was fouled by a Baltimore Blast player.
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez celebrates his power-play goal in the fourth quarter.
A shot by Milwaukee Wave forward Ian Bennett (26) goes past Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) for a goal in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee Wave forward Ian Bennett celebrates after his goal midway through the fourth quarter pulled the Wave within 6-5.
Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) feigns sleeping while celebrating with defender Chad Poarch after scoring the final goal with 11 seconds left into an untended goal to give Baltimore a 7-5 victory.
1 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores (16) and Baltimore Blast defender Oumar Sylla (2) fight for the ball in a game Friday, April 10, 2026, at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baltimore won, 7-5.
1 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores (16) and Baltimore Blast defender Oumar Sylla (2) fight for the ball in a game Friday, April 10, 2026, at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baltimore won, 7-5.
2 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Sanchez (80) and Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) react after Sanchez scored athe first goal of the game.
3 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene makes a save as Blast forward Kevaughn Frater wrestles with Milwaukee Wave defender Tony Walls, left.
4 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Baltimore Blast forward Nico Williams (6) and Milwaukee Wave midfielder Javier Steinwascher jostle for position.
5 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Cesar Correa (15) hops over Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Julian Rodriguez (28) as Rodriguez makes a save.
6 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Cesar Correa (15) reacts after a Baltimore Blast goal.
7 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores tries to split Baltimore Blast forward Wellington Bramusse (77) and defender Jake Schindler.
8 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene blocks a shot by Baltimore Blast defender Pat Thompson.
9 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Baltimore Blast midfielder Jonatas Melo celebrates a goal past Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper William Banahene.
10 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Steinwascher heads the ball.
11 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez passes the ball under pressure from Baltimore Blast forward Jairo Guevara (19).
12 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Alex Sanchez shoots.
13 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Javier Steinwascher (97) and Baltimore Blast defender Marco Antonio Do Nascimento (11) work to head the ball in front of the Blast goal.
14 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores (16) tangles with Baltimore Blast defender Oumar Sylla (2) along the boards.
15 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores controls the ball in from of Baltimore Blast defender Ayoub Abdelkarim.
16 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Baltimore Blast goalkeeper Julian Rodriguez (28) and forward Nico Williams get to the ball at the same time to prevent Milwaukee Wave from scoring.
17 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez congratulates forward Oscar Flores after Flores scored.
18 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Oscar Flores reacts after Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper Gerardo Perez was fouled by a Baltimore Blast player.
19 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave defender Mario Alvarez celebrates his power-play goal in the fourth quarter.
20 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
A shot by Milwaukee Wave forward Ian Bennett (26) goes past Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) for a goal in the fourth quarter.
21 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Milwaukee Wave forward Ian Bennett celebrates after his goal midway through the fourth quarter pulled the Wave within 6-5.
22 / 22
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast MASL playoff series Game 1 highlights
Baltimore Blast forward Juan Pereira (22) feigns sleeping while celebrating with defender Chad Poarch after scoring the final goal with 11 seconds left into an untended goal to give Baltimore a 7-5 victory.
“They just decided to throw me [in goal] against one of the best teams. We were in last place and we were losing, like, 8-1 a lot. I decided to play goalie that day and we lost 2-1. I mean, we still lost, but it was against the best team and usually we’d lose, like, by 17-0 or something.
“That’s how I started getting in the net, and I was like, yeah, I’m going to keep doing this.”
Perez continued to train as a field player before getting his first real instruction as a keeper with Sockers FC Chicago.
Perez came to the attention of the Wave during an offseason scrimmage between Milwaukee and Chicago players.
“We saw this kid that was extremely comfortable with the ball on his feet,” Leite said. “So we watched him two, three times. We wanted to see if he was pretty good in goal too.
“And once we saw that, I mean, I called the president, Shan [Amini], and said, hey, we need to sign this kid because it’s going to bring something different to our team, something that we don’t have, and that could be a difference-maker. And I’m glad we did because every time that kid has stepped on a field, he has made a difference.”
Perez spent most of the regular season backing up veteran William Banahene, who was an all-star in 2025, but still made four starts and played in 14 of the 22 games. He has started four of the six playoff games and played in all of them. His goals-against average of 3.27 in the playoffs is second-lowest and his four wins are the most.
As much of a gamble as it is to leave the goal open and use the keeper on offense, the practice is coming into use more, even when it's not a desperate situation in the final minute or two of a game.
Wave goalkeeper Gerardo Perez celebrates after assisting on a goal by forward Ian Bennett against the Baltimore Blast in the MASL playoffs.
Wave goalkeeper Gerardo Perez celebrates after assisting on a goal by forward Ian Bennett against the Baltimore Blast in the MASL playoffs.
Under MASL rules, the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball with his feet once per possession in his own end of the field. When the ball goes past midfield he is just like any of the other five players.
“I believe we have the best offensive sixth attacker in the league,” Leite said. “So we have given up a few goals, but I think we have scored two or three times more when he’s on the field.”
Perez’s most notable score came in the Wave’s victory in the knockout game over the Baltimore Blast on the night Milwaukee advanced to the finals. After picking up the win in goal in the regulation-length Game 2 earlier in the night, Perez pulled the Wave even in the 15-minute Game 3 that was subsequently won off the foot of Andre Hayne.
While an important single moment, Perez is reticent to call it the highlight of his year.
“My personal goal, my highlight, was just going to break into the team, into the roster and just getting the opportunity to travel with the group,” he said. “We just exceed that and more.”
Perez is quick to concede he has much to learn as a goalkeeper. At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, he’s on the smaller size for the position, and he’s still working to understand the quirky bounces the ball takes off the walls indoors to become better at stopping shots. Positioning and patience are goals, as well.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Max Ludwig (23) and Utica City FC forward Gordy Gurson go tumbling as Wave goalkeeper Jerry Perez covers the ball in a game in March.
Milwaukee Wave midfielder Max Ludwig (23) and Utica City FC forward Gordy Gurson go tumbling as Wave goalkeeper Jerry Perez covers the ball in a game in March.
“There’s a lot I need to improve on,” Perez said. “Probably just not trying to be as crazy and take as much risk back there, because I know my teammates probably get scared when I take one too many touches. And coach.”
Maybe. But Leite will get over the occasional scare if it means he gets what the Wave has out of Perez with the promise of more.
“He is a special kind of talent,” Leite said, “but the thing I’m probably most proud of, he’s 21 years old, but he plays like he’s 30. He’s playing like he’s been in the league forever. His confidence, his ability to handle pressure and tough moments has been fantastic.”
Pressure? Tough moments? Sounds like he’s talking about a championship series.
