Peoria City (soccer)

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Peoria City
Peoria City soccer.png
Full namePeoria City
Nickname(s)The Flying Carp
Short namePC
Founded2020
Stadium Shea Stadium
Peoria, Illinois
Capacity3,800
OwnersPeoria City Soccer LLC. Josh Bellamy, Managing Partner
Head CoachMike Paye
League USL League Two
2024 Central Conference Champion, National Final runner-up
Website https://peoriacitysoccer.com/
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

Peoria City is an American soccer club from Peoria, Illinois, that plays in the Great Plains Division in USL League Two. The team's colors are Whiskey City Copper, black and Peoria City Red. [1]

Contents

History

The club was founded by former K–W United owner Barry MacLean along with John Dorn [2] with then Franklin Pierce head coach Ruben Resendes serving as the inaugural head coach. [3] The club was announced as a new expansion club, set to begin play in the 2020 season, [4] however, their entrance was delayed to 2021, as the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] Their entrance was further delayed, with the team announcing in January 2022 that they would begin play in the 2022 season. [6]

Peoria City played their first match on May 14, 2022, where a crowd of 1,114 were in attendance to watch a 2–2 draw against Minneapolis City SC. [7] On July 15, Peoria City qualified for the USL League 2 playoffs with the second seed in the division after it won the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Thunder Bay Chill. [8] The team lost 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs to Chicago FC United at Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan. [9]

2024 Season

In their third year, Peoria City went on a remarkable "Cinderella run" finishing the season with a record of 12-4-5 after winning four straight playoff games. Peoria was chosen to host the USL2 National Championship game which drew a record crowd of over 3,100 people. Peoria lost in the Championship final 3-2 to Seacoast United, to claim the National Runner-up. [10]

Club culture

The team's first supporters group is "The 309", named for the local 309 area code, which organizes fans at matches and pre-game events. [11] Games feature a family friendly atmosphere complete with food trucks, tailgating and unique entertainment at various games.

Honors

Year by year

YearLevelLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffsU.S. Open Cup
2022 4USL League Two2nd, Deep NorthConference Quarterfinalsdid not qualify
2023 4USL League Two3rd, Heartlanddid not qualifydid not qualify
2024 4USL League Two2nd, HeartlandNational Championship Game - Runner-updid not qualify
2025 4USL League Two2nd, Great PlainsConference Quarterfinalsdid not qualify

References

  1. ↑ Huett, Wes (February 1, 2020). "Huett: Peoria City soccer venture about more than sports". Journal Star . Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ Vlahos, Nick (January 24, 2019). "Nick in the AM: U.S. developmental soccer league expanding to Peoria in 2020". Journal Star . Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  3. ↑ "What to know about the USL 2 entry Peoria City". Journal Star . February 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Peoria Unveiled as Newest League Two Expansion Club". USL League Two . January 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ Parker, Bobby (April 10, 2020). "Peoria City Delays Inaugural USL League Two Season to 2021". Peoria City Soccer.
  6. ↑ "After COVID delay, Peoria's USL League Two soccer team set to begin in 2022". Journal Star . January 19, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Peoria City soccer earns draw in its debut game with the USL League Two". Journal Star. May 15, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ Moskalyk, Gary (July 16, 2022). "Chill fall out of contention". The Chronicle-Journal . Thunder Bay, Ontario. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ Huett, Wes (July 22, 2022). "Peoria City loses USL League Two playoff opener to Chicago". Journal Star. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ Eminian, Dave. "'We are winners': Peoria City soccer team wins sellout crowd's hearts, but loses USL2 title game in extra time". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  11. ↑ Eminian, Dave (June 24, 2022). "Meet 'The 309': A new fan club finds its calling in support of Peoria City soccer team". Journal Star. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
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