PEORIA, Ill. – It wasn’t the outcome the 1,100 in attendance wanted to see, but it still described as an electric atmosphere, as an era of soccer play in Peoria has begun.
Two years after the announcement of its formation, the Peoria City Soccer team kicked to a 2-2 draw Saturday against the Minneapolis City Soccer Club.
Peoria City is part of the U-S-L League Two, which is developing soccer players to eventually become pros.
The team’s home games, as was Saturday’s game, will be played at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium.
Peoria plays two games on the road next week before returning to Shea.
Below is a recap of the game, from Peoria City Media Relations Consultant Bobby Parker.
The first game in Peoria City history ended in a 2-2 draw as the first-year USL League Two squad battled Deep North Division rival Minneapolis City SC to the full-time draw. A crowd of 1,114 witnessed history as Peoria City kicked off for the first time, nearly two years following the announcement of the team.
It was a remarkable start for Peoria City as in the 8th minute midfielder Gustavo Rodriguez fired one into the upper 90 past the Minneapolis City SC goaltender Matacastillo. However, Minneapolis would be quick to answer.
In the 28th minute Minneapolis forward Eli Goldman was able to chip one past Peoria City goaltender Rimi Olatunji to tie the game up at 1-1.
Following that goal it was a tightly contested rest of the half as both teams had their fair share of shots on goal and chances. The first half ended with Peoria City having 5 shots on goal and Minneapolis City having 4.
In the 54th minute a Minneapolis City defender got called for a handball in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for Peoria City. Gevork Diarbian stepped up to the ball and took the penalty kick as he fired it past the goaltender on the right side of the net.
That made it 2-1 Peoria City, where it remained until 5 minutes of stoppage time was added to the end of the game. In the 4th minute of stoppage time Peoria City turned the ball over at midfield, and Minneapolis was off to the races as they fired one past Olutanji to tie the game at 2.
The referee blew the whistle shortly after and that is how Peoria City FC’s first game completed. A 2-2 draw. Peoria City will have two games next week on Friday and Sunday on the road. Friday’s contest is a rematch of tonight’s matchup against Minneapolis City SC, while Sunday’s matchup is at St. Croix SC.
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