(BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS) — Peoria City remains undefeated in international friendly play for the 2025 season.
A convincing 6-1 victory at Bloomington High School, under the Friday night lights, made sure to keep the undefeated streak alive after a 2-1 victory in March over Chivas de Guadalajara U-23.
Facing a different U-23 squad from Guadalajara, Mexico, this time Peoria hosted Atlas FC’s U-23 team in the Twin Cities. It would be the first time Bloomington-Normal ever hosted an international soccer match.
The Carp started the scoring quickly, in just the fourth minute of action. Alfonso Gonzalez (Clarke University) would send the first shot of the game past the keeper and into the back of the net. Peoria goes up 1-0.
The electric start would slow down for roughly the next thirty minutes, until Peoria regained control of the match and started the scoring once again.
In the 32nd minute, Henrik Boer (Western Michigan) would cross the ball into the box. Finding the head of Nadji Rebai (Clarke), who would jump in front of the keeper and a defender, heading the ball towards the net. A sliding Tanner Anderson (Saint Louis) would ensure the ball made it into the back of the net, giving Peoria a 2-0 lead.
Just three minutes later Anderson would find himself on the stat sheet again, this time for an assist. His cross to the top of the box would find a sprinting Henrik Boer who would sail his shot into the upper right corner of the net. Carp up 3-0.
It didn’t take long for Peoria to get their fourth goal of the night. In the 37th minute, Oliver Benson (Concordia) would shake off a defender, then cross the ball into the middle of the box to find, once again, Alfonso Gonzalez. Gonzalez gets his second goal of the night, assisted by Benson.
Peoria enters half time up 4-0.
Atlas would score their lone goal in the first minute of the second half.
Peoria would quickly answer after Gonzalez is fouled in the Atlas box, setting up a penalty kick, which Gonzalez would take.
A shot to the bottom left corner of the net beats the keeper, securing Alfonso’s hat trick for the night.
Moments later, Peoria would be on the attack again. This time Gonzalez would find himself on the assisting side of things, sending the ball forward to Kayden Hudson (Peoria Notre Dame | Michigan State University). Hudson would take one touch before firing the shot which would prove too strong for the keeper, making its way to the back for Peoria’s sixth and final goal of the night.
The Carp would end the game victorious, in a stunning 6-1 result.
Peoria City is back in USL League Two action next week. The Flying Carp head down to St. Louis for their third and final matchup against FC Ambush on Tuesday, June 23. Peoria City looks to bounce back after two consecutive losses in USL League Two play, and will see a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at Missouri Baptist University’s Spartan Field.
Later that week, Peoria’s USL 2 squad will play host to Santafe Wanderers. Get your tickets now for the matchup on Saturday, June 28!
Tropical Sno, Tony’s on Wheels, The Phoenix and Grill Em All will be serving up food and desserts in the tailgate lot starting at 4:30 p.m. The game will start at 7:30 Saturday night.
#UpTheCarp
