The two-time defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion Milwaukee Wave finish up the regular season with back-to-back home games this weekend at U.S. Cellular Arena against Syracuse (Saturday, 6 p.m.) and Wichita (Sunday, 3 p.m.).

The team is looking for a strong finish before beginning its title defense at home in a March 10 playoff opener.

"You want to protect that home field and send a message to other teams that Milwaukee is a very difficult place to get a result in,'" veteran midfielder Giuliano Oliviero said.

Despite winning 16 straight games at one point, the Wave will finish second to the Baltimore Blast in the regular season series after losing three of their last four. It was a tough pill to swallow for the players, but they know that regular season success isn't necessarily a predictor for the postseason – the last three regular season champions have not won the MISL title.

"We have areas that we need to improve on and losing a game here or a game there might be the best thing that can happen to us," Oliviero said. "It might show where we need to work on, where we're a little weak, and losing is good if you learn from it. That's what we plan on doing these last few games – making those corrections heading into the playoffs."

Milwaukee has battled injury and an inconsistent offense all season and hope some "home cooking" gets it back on track as playoffs approach.

"You want to take care of business on your home field," Oliviero said. "That is very, very important. I know we lost our home opener this year and that's the only loss we have at home and that's the way we want to keep it."