Milwaukee Wave head coach Giuliano Oliviero will serve as Madison’s USL W League team’s first-ever Head Coach and Liz Lawrence will be technical director and assistant coach, the club announced in a press release Thursday.
“After a national search, we realized what we were looking for was right in our backyard,” USL W League Madison Chief Operating Officer and Partner Conor Caloia said in a statement. “Giuliano and Liz are amazingly well respected across the country and have the right connections to build a pathway to the professional game through Madison.”
Oliviero will step into this position while maintaining his role as the Director of the Girls Academy at Elmbrook United, a community-based soccer club of over 2,000 co-ed players serving Brookfield and Elm Grove, Wisconsin. As the Elmbrook Girls Academy Director, he has guided his teams to a USYS National Championship in 2025, three State Cup Championships, and one USYS Regional Championship.
Lawrence currently works alongside Oliviero at Elmbrook United as the Director of Girls Academy Operations. Under her leadership, the U13s captured the 2025 U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) Midwest Regional Championship and placed in the Top 3 at the USYS National Championships. Prior to Elmbrook, she coached with the SC Wave for five years, serving high school youth and helping them reach their full potential.
The USL W League is a pre-professional competition for high-level women’s college soccer players. Madison’s team will be fielded by the same company that owns Forward Madison, the men’s professional team, and will play home games at historic Breese Stevens Field beginning in May 2026. The team announced last month that Edgewood High School standout and current Wake Forest player Sonoma Bever would be the team’s first-ever player signing.
Oliviero has also been the Head Coach of the Milwaukee Wave, a Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) team based in Milwaukee, since 2016. He led the team to four league titles, was a three-time finalist for the MASL Coach of the Year, and boasts a career 132-72 win-loss record. During his time leading the Milwaukee Wave, Oliviero also worked for SC Wave, one of Milwaukee’s premier youth clubs, where he won two USYS National Championships as the Girls Academy Director. He also acted as the Director of Coaching from 2006-2024, where he propelled SC Wave to 50 state championships and led over 250 athletes to Division I college soccer teams. Oliviero comes highly recommended by his previously coached athletes.
“I’m incredibly honored to lead Madison in its inaugural USL W League season,” said Oliviero. “This is a special opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up, a team that represents the energy, passion, and pride of this community. Our focus will be on creating a high-level environment where players can develop, compete, and inspire the next generation of girls’ soccer in Wisconsin.”
Prior to coaching, Oliviero played professional soccer for 25 years, was the A-League Rookie of the Year in 1995 with the Vancouver 86ers, and represented Canada internationally on their U-20 Men’s National Team.
“USL W League Madison has gotten an incredible leader to guide the club as it embarks on its inaugural season,” said Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of the Kansas City Current (NWSL) and former USWNT Head Coach. “Giuliano cares deeply about his athletes and embodies class, integrity, and leadership. A great coach and an even better person, Giuliano has a tremendous track record of success and a deep understanding of – and passion for – the game.”
Lawrence is set to lead the USL W League Madison side as Technical Director/Assistant Coach alongside Oliviero. Originally from the Milwaukee area, Lawrence has been embedded in the Wisconsin soccer scene since 2001 when she played for UW-Milwaukee. Lawrence had a strong collegiate career, earning All-Freshman, All-Conference, and Horizon League All-Tournament Team honors. She was the team’s leading scorer all three years of her active career and drove the Panthers to numerous Horizon League and NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I’ve known Liz since I was in high school and I have seen, not only the impact she had on the field as a player, but now as a coach,” former Canadian National Team defender Lauren Sesselmann said, according to the club’s press release. “She has always been someone who uplifts and instills a certain belief and confidence in you. I have closely watched the impact she has made with the academies she has built and turned into winning programs, as well as the character of her players on and off the field.”
“I’m thrilled to join the Forward Madison staff and help lead the W League initiative here in Madison,” said Lawrence. “This is a chance to create something meaningful for our players and the community—continuing to grow the game and inspire the next generation of female athletes.”
“Liz doesn’t just coach the game, she builds confidence, character, and courage in every player she leads,” said Oliviero. “She is passionate about creating a positive, competitive environment that challenges players to grow, compete, and perform at their highest level both on and off the field.” Liz holds her USSF C License and is in the process of completing her U.S. Soccer B License.
The Madison USL W League team is expected to unveil its name and branding in the coming weeks.
