USL League Two • #Path2Pro

PEORIA CITY SOCCER NEWS JAN. 30, 2020 | FOR RELEASE AT 3:00 P.M. CT CONTACT: Bobby Parker ([email protected] • 309-256-4302) Peoria City to Debut as USL League Two Expansion Team

PEORIA, Ill. – The (USL) announced Jan. 23 the addition of expansion franchise Peoria City to join League Two for the 2020 season. Peoria City 2020 Schedule Veteran Bradley Soccer head coach Jim DeRose and local developer Kim Date Opponent Time (CT) Blickenstaff made the official announcement to the Peoria community May 9 at 7:30p Thursday during a press conference and reception in Peoria Heights. May 16 at Kaw Valley FC 7:30p May 20 at FC United 7:00p Peoria City will compete in the USL 2 Heartland Division and will play a 14-game May 23 GREEN BAY VOYAGEURS 5:00p May 28 KAW VALLEY FC 7:00p league schedule with home games at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium (1323 June 5 ST. LOUIS LIONS 7:00p W. Nebraska Avenue). After facing three consecutive road games to start its June 7 at St. Louis Lions 5:00p inaugural season, Peoria City will make its Shea Stadium debut Saturday, May June 10 CHICAGO FC UNITED 6:00p 23 against Green Bay Voyageurs. June 14 GREEN BAY VOYAGEURS 2:00p June 18 at FC 7:00p “We are extremely excited to have elite pre-professional soccer in Peoria this June 20 at Chill 6:00p June 26 FC MANITOBA 7:00p summer as a member of League Two,” said DeRose, who is involved with the July 2 6:00p club in a front office role. “We look forward to featuring some of the best talent July 12 at Des Moines Menace 5:00p from around the country, and engaging fans and non-profits to make Peoria and Home games in BOLD CAPS at Shea Stadium Shea Stadium a top local soccer destination.”

The effort to bring a team to Peoria was spearheaded by owners Barry MacLean, who owned previous League Two club K.W. United, and John Dorn. Blickenstaff played a major role in ensuring the club is able to begin play this season.

DeRose, who is the second-winningest coach in Missouri Valley Conference men’s soccer history through his first 24 years as Bradley head coach, will be the chief administrator for Peoria City, while the club will be coached by third-year Bradley assistant coach . Regan was an All-American defender for the Braves from 1999-2002, before being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2003 SuperDraft. He played six seasons in MLS, before embarking on a post-playing career that has included stints as Chief Scout for FC, assistant coach for several USSF Youth National Team age groups and both assistant coach and interim head coach positions with , formerly of the North American Soccer League and now a USL Championship franchise.

“We’re thrilled to bring League Two soccer to Peoria,” said Joel Nash, Vice President of USL League Two. “The local expertise of those who have helped launch the club is sure to benefit everyone involved as they build their first roster and engage the community.”

Peoria City’s roster will be assembled throughout the spring. Fans are encouraged to follow Peoria City online at PeoriaCitySoccer.com and through Facebook (/PeoriaCitySoccer), Instagram (@peoriacitysoccer) and Twitter (@PeoriaCityUSL2) for team updates and features.

-30- PEORIA CITY USL League Two • #Path2Pro Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peoria City A Professional Team? Peoria City competes in the USL (United Soccer League) League Two, the top pre-professional league in . A part of United Soccer Leagues, LLC, which also operates the USL Championship, USL League One, and the new USL Academy, USL League Two offers a summer platform for aspiring professionals across the and . League Two is the defined and proven pathway for players to progress to the ranks of professional soccer, while its clubs become fixtures in the communities where they operate.

How Many Games Will Peoria City Play? All teams in USL League Two will play 14 regular-season games, seven at home and seven on the road. Peoria City will open its 2020 inaugural season with three road games, beginning May 9 at Des Moines Menace. The first-ever Peoria City home game will be played May 23 at Shea Stadium versus Green Bay Voyageurs and the regular-season finale is slated for July 12 at Des Moines Menace.

How Many Teams Make Up USL League Two? For the 2020 season, 82 teams will compete in USL League Two, which consists of 12 divisions spread across four conferences. Peoria City is in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference (listed below by division): Great Lakes Division Heartland Division Mid-South Division AFC Ann Arbor Chicago FC United AHFC Royals Dutch Lions Des Moines Menace Brazos Valley Calvary F.C. FC Manitoba Corpus Christi FC Green Bay Voyageurs FC Grand Rapids FC Kaw Valley FC Brilla FC Louisville City U23 PEORIA CITY United Oakland County FC St. Louis Lions South Bend Lions Thunder Bay Chill

Where Will Peoria City Play Its Home Games? Peoria City will host its home games in Peoria, Ill., at Bradley University’s Shea Stadium (1523 W. Nebraska Avenue). Originally opened as a community stadium in 1970 known as Meinen Field, and later Pete Vonachen Stadium at Meinen Field, the venue was the long-time home of the baseball team, as well as the Bradley Baseball team. The facility was remodeled into a soccer specific stadium in 2003 and the natural grass pitch is well-regarded as one of the finest playing surfaces in the Midwest, if not the nation. In addition to Bradley Soccer, Shea Stadium has played host to two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games featuring Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire.

Is Peoria City Affiliated With Bradley University? Peoria City simply rents Shea Stadium as its home-game venue, but has no other official affiliation with Bradley University. Veteran Bradley Soccer head coach Jim DeRose and Braves assistant coach Tim Regan both are independent employees of Peoria City. As such, NCAA rules prevent any current members of the Bradley University men’s soccer program from participating as Peoria City players. How Will Peoria City Build Its Roster? All players who compete in USL League Two must have amateur status. The league-wide model for roster makeup includes local, domestic and international players and rosters typically feature many of the nation’s top collegiate student-athletes.

How Was The Team Name Determined, What Is The Team’s Nickname, Mascot And Colors? Modeled after popular European soccer club naming, Peoria City was selected as a tribute to the largest metropolitan community in Central and its rich traditions in both sports and industry. The franchise name simply is Peoria City with both a nickname and mascot expected to develop organically through community involvement. The team’s official colors are Red, Black and White. Peoria City will debut its identifying shield this spring.

Will Peoria City Have A Supporters Group? Peoria City encourages the development of an independent supporters group, modeled after such popular groups as Section 8 Chicago (Chicago Fire), () and Ralph’s Mob (). Anyone interested in learning more about the formation of a supporters group are encouraged to visit the team’s official website, www.PeoriaCitySoccer.com, and complete the fan registration form.

How Do I Follow Peoria City? Peoria City has launched an official website and will maintain a vibrant presence through traditional social media outlets. In addition to following Peoria City on social media, fans are encouraged to complete the fan registration form at www. PeoriaCitySoccer.com to receive the latest club information. In addition to information coming directly from Peoria City, uslleaguetwo.com will maintain updated league schedules, results and statistics. Peoria City Website and Social Media Accounts Official Website: www.PeoriaCitySoccer.com Facebook: /peoriacitysoccer Instagram: @peoriacitysoccer Twitter: @PeoriaCityUSL2