(PEORIA, ILLINOIS) — The Peoria City franchise faced off in four matches in less than 24 hours this Memorial Day Weekend.
On Saturday, Peoria City’s WPSL II squad took on St. Louis-based Lou Fusz Reserves with a 3:00 p.m. kick-off at Peoria Notre Dame High School.
The game would end in a 1-1 draw to close out the weekend’s first match.
While the WPSL II squad was entering half-time, Peoria’s USL League Two men’s side was in Kansas City, Missouri facing new foe Santafé Wanderers.
The highlights of the match started on the defensive side, with Peoria City keeper Samy Slimi blocking both a PK and the follow-up shot right after. This would keep the match even, at 0-0, until DJ Koulai (Bradley University) would find the back of the net, assisted by Jose Gomez.
Koulai’s goal would lead the Carp to a 1-0 lead heading into half-time.
The physical matchup persisted in the second half of the game, with both teams unable to find the back of the net.
That would be until a beautiful play late in the game by Koulai once again. In the 82nd minute, Koulai would apply pressure to the Wanderers’ defense, stealing the ball from the defender and heading towards the net. Koulai’s shot would go past the keeper and in for his second goal of the night. Carp win it 2-0 on the road, now sitting at 3-0-0 and #1 in the nation, ranked by USL League Two.
The men head to Springfield, Illinois on Saturday, May 31st to take on the Springfield FC Stags. The Stags entered USL League Two this season, but are no stranger to the Flying Carp. In 2024, the two squads faced off in a home-and-home Lincoln Cup series, were the Carp won 10-0 at home to kick it off. Peoria would win the 2024 Lincoln Cup 12-3 due to goal differential. The 7:30 p.m. kick-off Saturday will take place at Sacred Heart Griffin High School. Many Peoria traveling fans will remember this location in 2023, where Peoria City traveled to take on former division rival Springfield ASC.
Peoria City’s WPSL squad would meet the 309 faithful for the first time Saturday night, playing under the lights at Shea Stadium.
Taking on Lou Fusz Athletic, the match remained even through the first 45 minutes. Peoria’s keeper Peyton Rhodes (University of Illinois) protected the net the first half, making tough saves that kept the game even.
AJ Mayock (University of Illinois) would find Aniya Seymore (Illinois State University) in the box, who would dribble past multiple defenders and lay on a strong shot on net. Lou Fusz’s keeper would make an impressive save, holding Peoria from scoring ahead of half time. 0-0 heading into half.
The second half tilted to Lou Fusz’s favor, with the St. Louis squad scoring two times. Peoria’s close chances kept coming throughout the half, but no shots could find the back of the net. Lou Fusz would go on to win 2-0.
Fans, players and staff enjoyed a post-game fireworks show to commemorate the historic moment. Peoria City WPSL is back at home twice this week. First against Junction FC on Wednesday, May 28 with a 7:30 p.m. kick-off. Then on Saturday, May 31, Peoria hosts Kansas City Current II for a non-league exhibition match. Kick-off will also be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
But the action wasn’t over yet. Peoria City’s USL Academy men’s U-20 squad held its first match of the season against Sueno FC Sunday afternoon.
A 2:00 p.m. kick-off at Peoria Notre Dame High School saw many familiar faces take the field for the Carp. A good mix of players who have seen minutes for the USL League Two side, as well as Peoria’s U-23 training program that was launched in 2024, and is back for another summer.
Peoria City would dominate the visiting team out of Joliet, Illinois. At half-time, the Carp were up 5-0. The match would end 7-0 to close out a historic weekend full of exciting soccer.
Peoria City would like to thank all the fans, supporters’ group, partners and the Peoria community for showing up to all our games at home and away this past weekend. There’s a lot of soccer to play this summer, so make sure to grab your tickets online at peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets/.
#UpTheCarp
