TAMPA - On Saturday, August 3rd, Peoria City will host Seacoast United Phantoms in the 2024 USL League Two Final at Shea Stadium in Peoria, Illinois. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT.

This comes after a regular season played by 128 elite pre-professional clubs and four playoff rounds won by each finalist. This is the first League Two Final appearance for both clubs, 

The USL League Two Final will be streamed on SportsEngine Play.

"We're so excited to bring the 2024 Final to Peoria," Joel Nash, USL Senior Vice President of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties, said. "From the club's leadership and staff all the way down to the fans in the stands, the club not only understands soccer, but it understands community. What they've been able to build there in three years is a testament to the best of what this league can be for our clubs. These two teams have worked incredibly hard this season, and we can't wait to celebrate both of their efforts this weekend."

How we got here

Peoria City advanced into the playoffs after finishing second in the Heartland Division, with an 8-1-3 record that saw them get into the playoff field on the final day. They needed every point to hold off a strong debut season from River Light FC in the division.

In the first round, Peoria City defeated Deep North champions Thunder Bay Chill, 2-0, thanks to second-half goals from Jose Gomez and superstar Luke Persenico.

In the second round, they faced Heartland champions and perennial powerhouse Des Moines Menace, a club Peoria City had never defeated previously. After a  goal for the Menace in stoppage time of extra time, all hope seemed to be lost for the Carp. But a deflected shot from Fritz Volmar found its way to the bottom corner with the last kick of the game, and City won the ensuing shootout.

They advanced to the Central Conference Final against Flint City Bucks, where a single goal from Persenico and a yeoman's effort from defenders Wesley Gibson and Jonas Lyshoj saw them win their first-ever Central Conference title. This season marks the first since 2018 that neither Flint City Bucks or Des Moines Menace were crowned Central Conference Champions.

In the League Two Semifinal, Peoria City were held to a scoreless first half by FC Tucson, and the match was without goals for the first 45 minutes. An acrobatic effort by Persenico in the 49th minute opened the floodgates, and the Carp defeated the Western Conference Champions 5-1 behind an 18-minute hat trick from Persenico.

Semifinal Scoring Summary

PEO:

Persenico 49', 62', 69'

TUC OG 72'

Saravia 88'

TUC:

Arnesen 53'

Seacoast United Phantoms were dominant all season, dropping points only once late in the season to AC Connecticut. Coming out on top of the extremely difficult Northeast Division, the Phantoms proved time and time again that they were the ones to beat in the Eastern Conference.

The club was formed in 1996, first as a professional outfit before moving to League Two in 2007. This season marked the club's third consecutive Northeast Division title, as the last decade of play for the club has seen them win five divisional titles. Playoff success was elusive, however, as their previous best finish was a Conference Final finish in 2022, losing to eventual Finalists Long Island Rough Riders in extra time.

In the first round, the Phantoms outlasted Ocean City Nor'Easters on the road, with Zemedkun Rodriguez providing the lone goal in the 79th minute.

The second match of the playoffs proved much easier for the Phantoms - they blitzed a Vermont Green FC team that never really seemed to have their footing, and walked away from the first weekend as 3-0 winners behind a brace from Ibrahim Conde and a late goal from Samuel White to drive the win home.

In the Eastern Conference Final against 2023 Finalist Lionsbridge FC, the scoring was fast and furious. The first half finished 3-2 in favor of the Phantoms, but as the hosts chased the game late, Seacoast pulled away and walked out 6-3 winners.

In the League Two Semifinal against the league's other regular season powerhouse, Asheville City SC, the Phantoms were under more pressure than at any other point in the tournament. Repeated missed chances and last ditch defensive efforts from the likes of goalkeeper Tobias Jahn and defenders Jaehyuk Moon and Cooper Nunn left the door open for So Nishikawa to score the lone goal of the match.

Semifinal Scoring Summary

SEA: 

Nishikawa 70'