Peoria City (soccer)
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| Full name | Peoria City |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Flying Carp |
| Short name | PC |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Stadium | Shea Stadium Peoria, Illinois |
| Capacity | 3,800 |
| Owners | 1845 Soccer LLC. John Dorn, Managing Partner |
| Head Coach | Mike Paye |
| League | USL League Two |
| 2023 | 3rd, Heartland Division Playoffs: DNQ |
| Website | https://peoriacitysoccer.com/ |
Peoria City is an American soccer club from Peoria, Illinois, that plays in the Heartland Division in USL League Two. The team's colors are gold and black.[1]
History
[edit]The club was founded by former K–W United owner Barry MacLean along with John Dorn[2] with former Major League Soccer player Tim Regan 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
[edit]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 3,000 people. Peoria lost in the Championship final to claim the National Runner-up.[10]
Club culture
[edit]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
[edit]- USL League Two Central Conference:
- Winner (1): 2024
Year by year
[edit]| Year | Level | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | USL League Two | 2nd, Deep North | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify |
| 2023 | 4 | USL League Two | 3rd, Heartland | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2024 | USL League Two | 2nd, Heartland | National Championship Game - Runner-up |
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Peoria Unveiled as Newest League Two Expansion Club". USL League Two. January 23, 2020.
- ^ Parker, Bobby (April 10, 2020). "Peoria City Delays Inaugural USL League Two Season to 2021". Peoria City Soccer.
- ^ "After COVID delay, Peoria's USL League Two soccer team set to begin in 2022". Journal Star. January 19, 2022.
- ^ "Peoria City soccer earns draw in its debut game with the USL League Two". Journal Star. May 15, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ Moskalyk, Gary (July 16, 2022). "Chill fall out of contention". The Chronicle-Journal. Thunder Bay, Ontario. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ Huett, Wes (July 22, 2022). "Peoria City loses USL League Two playoff opener to Chicago". Journal Star. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ 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 2024-08-23.
- ^ 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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