PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria City Soccer is back on the pitch this weekend in the River City in matches that count.
The latest USL League 2 campaign for the Carp is already underway. In its season opener on May 9th in St. Louis, Peoria City defeated FC Ambush, 3-1.
The home portion of the schedule starts Saturday night, as rival the Des Moines Menace come to Peoria. This follows a slate of exhibition matches that have taken place this month at Shea Stadium.
With a match and three points under its belt, Peoria City players and coaches held its annual media day on Thursday at The Yard.
Head coach Mike Paye is in his third year leading the Carp. In Paye’s first season, he led Peoria City all the way to the USL League 2 National Championship Game. Last season, Peoria City fell in penalties in the Round of 32 of the playoffs to Minneapolis City SC.
Paye says there’s a lot to like about this year’s squad.
“I think the quality within this team is really, really good,” Paye said. “We have guys that are even hungrier for success. It just makes things a lot better for everyone when guys want to win.”
Paye says it will take mental strength and focus, along with durability and togetherness to help the Carp go deeper in the playoffs this season.
This year’s captain is Honduran Jose Gomez, who plays his college soccer at Northern Illinois. He says he was “surprised” at the honor.
“I didn’t know at the beginning, but I’m one of the guys that, for me, hard work rate and determination and passion is one of the things,” Gomez said. “It was a pleasure for me, it’s an honor to represent the team and put the badge in front of everything and them.”
Peoria City this year features a mix of Peoria-based and worldwide talent. Former Washington Panther and current Bradley Brave Mitch Coughlon scored two goals in the win against FC Ambush. The team features three former Peoria Notre Dame players; Thatcher Hogan, Kayden Hudson, Max Matarelli, and Joel McIntyre. Joseph Heiar of Dunlap is also a local connection.
DJ Koulai returns for his third season with Peoria City after being one of the nation’s leading scorers last season. The former Bradley Brave and current Florida Atlantic Owl is currently on trial with MLS club Austin FC. Koulai says it “feels like home” to play for Peoria City, and is looking to be a leader this season.
Another player returning to Peoria is Abasa Aremeyaw, who spent last season playing professionally in Saudi Arabia. Aremeyaw was also part of Peoria City’s national runner-up team in 2024, and earned MLS tryouts with the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew. In 2023, Aremeyaw was a member of the Philadelphia Union.
Comments