PEORIA, IL (May 20, 2023) –– As Peoria City Soccer gears up for the 2023 season, the full roster is officially here!
The team is coming off a successful first year, making the playoffs in their inaugural season.
Now, players from around the world have embarked upon Peoria to chase a playoff run once again.
Many of the Peoria City squad were born and raised right here in central Illinois. Nine to be exact!
Alester Dawson, Lucas Fontana, Danny Gutzwiller, Noah Madrigal, and Charlie Waugh all hail from Peoria, Illinois. Dawson last played at Peoria Notre Dame and heads to Wisconsin-Platteville this fall. Fontana has history with Peoria Notre Dame and recently played for Bradley University then Illinois Central College. The goalkeeper heads to Chicago State University this fall.
Gutzwiller, another Peoria Notre Dame grad, joins Dawson at heading to Wisconsin-Platteville for fall 2023.
The list of Peoria Notre Dame players continues to grow on Peoria City Soccer. Madrigal played there this past season and heads to Marquette University for his next adventure.
Waugh, another PND grad, plays soccer at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Just miles away in Washington, Illinois come Mitch Coughlon and Myles Sophanavong, while Wesley Gibson is from Morton. Coughlon played for Washington Community High School. He heads to Bradley University. Sophanavong joins the list of former PND stars on Peoria City. He recently played at SIUE and heads to Wisconsin Green Bay next. Gibson also plays at SIUE and played for Morton in high school.
Two Peoria City defenders both come to the River City by way of the Lone Star State. Brady Drozdowski is from Houston while Grady Easton is from The Woodlands. Drozdowski recently played for Upper Iowa University and heads to University of the Incarnate Word next. Easton recently played for FC Dallas Academy and plays soccer now at Saint Louis University.
Goalkeeper Mason Hart joins Easton in playing for SLU. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Hart played for the Sporting KC Academy from 2019-2022.
From Norfolk, MA comes defender Camron Lawrence. Lawrence last played for the Boston Bolts Academy and plays college soccer at Bryant University.
Midfielder Sam Moore, from Bloomington, Illinois, joins Peoria City from the Columbus Crew Academy. He plays soccer at the collegiate level for DePaul University.
Christian Ortiz joins the squad in 2023. Born in Yuma, AZ, Ortiz last played for Oregon State University. His next collegiate step is playing soccer at Loyola Marymount.
Last playing for Virginia Tech, defender JP Pascarella was born in Blaine, MN. Pascarella heads to Drake University after the summer season.
From Glenview, Illinois comes Danail Sergiev. The forward knows Peoria well after just playing for Bradley University. He joins GK Lucas Fontana in heading to Chicago State University next.
Across the pond hails midfielder Jonah Stekly. From Cambridge, England, Stekly just played for Coastal Carolina and heads to Bryant University next.
Another future player for Bryant University is defender Abdel Talabi. Born in Brewster, MA, Talabi recently played for the New England Revolution Developmental Academy.
Leonel Toledo joins Peoria City after playing for Kalonji Sports Academy. Born in Gillsville, GA, he heads to Mercer University for his next steps.
Midfielder Alex White is familiar with the Prairie State. Born in Lake Bluff, Illinois, White recently played for Knox College and heads to Calvin University next.
Every Peoria City game will be broadcast on the Eleven Sports stream, which will be shown at bars and restaurants across central Illinois.
Building off the success of the Five Bars collective, Peoria City introduced the community to River City Brews in 2023. It’s a network of local bars and restaurants who support the club and get perks all season long. We are extremely thankful for the support of these businesses, and are proud to share 10 local establishments have joined the network ahead of opening night.
At home games all season long, Peoria City will be selling our brand new scarves and other merchandise. If you have a baby or toddler, we have onesies and t-shirts available for them too!
Peoria City opens up the regular season Saturday night hosting St. Charles FC. Kick-off is at 7:30 PM with tail-gating and food trucks available before the game.
