(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — It was 25 days since Peoria City’s USL League Two squad played a match at Shea Stadium.
Saturday was the perfect homecoming, with six unanswered goals met by an electric crowd of 1,411 energized fans.
Peoria would host the Santafe Wanderers out of Kansas City. PC defeated the Wanderers 2-0 earlier in the year on the road.
Before the game, Iron Spirit Pro Wrestling put on a show on the Shea Stadium concourse. It was announced during the event that Iron Spirit Pro would be coming back to Peoria in August, this time for a full live show at The Yard Peoria, one of Peoria City’s presenting sponsors.
The show will be called “Peoria City Pandemonium,” and will take place on Saturday, August 16. You can find tickets for the event here!
The energy was high Saturday night, and Peoria City came out to play fast.
In the sixth minute, DJ Koulai would score the Carp’s first goal of the night, assisted by Tanner Anderson.
Just two minutes later, Josh Reddy would once again showcase his incredible throw-in abilities. From the sidelines to the box his throw soared, finding defender Jeremy Saygbe. Saygbe would jump in the air against a Wanderer defender, heading the ball into the back of the net. This would be Saygbe’s first goal of the season, giving the Carp a 2-0 lead.
In the 22nd minute, Tommy Coughlin (Green Bay) would cross the ball into the box, finding Jose Gomez (Northern Illinois). Gomez would lay on a one-time, sailing it right past the keeper. 3-0 PC.
Soon after, captain Charlie Dickerson (Providence College) would take it himself. Approaching the Wanderers’ box, Dickerson rockets the shot on net, hitting the keepers’ gloves but bouncing over him and into the back of the net.
Just before halftime, beautiful ball movement followed by unselfish play would create Peoria’s fifth goal of the night.
Gomez would lay it off to Luke Persenico (Clarke), who would bounce it back to Gomez, who would dribble at the defender.
After streaking past the defender, Gomez lays the ball off for Anderson who would give the Carp a 5-0 lead heading into the half.
Peoria City continued to apply pressure in the second half, as Koulai would get his second goal of the night, assisted by Jose Gomez.
Koulai’s two goals in Saturday’s shutout bring him to a team-leading 9 goals on the season.
Samy Slimi (Tulsa) would earn the Man of the Match nod Saturday night, getting his fourth clean sheet of the season.
The Carp are back in action Wednesday night! Playing host to Des Moines Menace, Peoria will honor the Peoria Notre Dame girl’s soccer team at halftime.
PND had a stellar 2025 season, making it all the way to the class 2-A State Championship.
After the game, Peoria City fans will enjoy the second post-game fireworks show of the season! Stick around and enjoy a wonderful show, just days before the Fourth of July.
Now going on 6 weeks, Peoria City and the Menace have split time as #1 in the USL League Two power rankings.
First, Peoria City held the #1 spot for three weeks. Des Moines has had the spot the last two weeks, but did not play any USL League Two matches since the last power rankings came out.
The two rivals will showdown at Shea Stadium, kick off is at 7:30 p.m. Central Time.
Tickets can be purchased here!
#UpTheCarp
