“Back from the dead”: Peoria City marches on in USL 2 playoffs after miraculous victory over rival Des Moines

Peoria City celebrates after beating Des Moines Menace 6-5 in penalty kicks in a USL League 2 Conference Semifinal. Jonathan Michel/Clutch Sports Media

In the final minute of stoppage time, Peoria City’s dream season was on life support. The third-year club making its second postseason appearance, and fresh off the first playoff win in team history, needed a miracle unlike any other.

In Sunday’s conference semifinal match, The Carp’s archrivals and elder statesman of the league, the Des Moines Menace, scored to go ahead 5-4 in the second minute of two minutes added on in the second extra time period. Aside from a rowdy Menace bench, you could hear a pin drop in Shea Stadium. 

But Peoria City simply wanted to win more.

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