What we know about Peoria City soccer event with a top international soccer club

PEORIA — One of Mexico's most historic professional soccer clubs is bringing a team of its top prospects to Peoria to play a two-game friendly against Peoria City in the inaugural Copa Peoria series.

Mexico Liga BBVA MX powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara has added Peoria to a U.S. tour for its all-professional under-23 squad.

"Chivas is Mexico's equivalent to the Yankees or the Cowboys or the Lakers," said former Bradley soccer coach Jim DeRose, now Peoria City president. "They have a huge brand, a following more than 40 million in the U.S. and Mexico."

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Chivas is touring the nation and contacted Peoria City because the region is the right fit geographically and in market size. The club's will bring is under-23 team, equivalent to a "Class AAA team," said DeRose, with talent on the cusp of playing on the big club.

"We're an amateur (developmental) club and we're going to playing against pros, guys who have the ability to make a lot of money doing this," DeRose said. "From a competitive aspect, you hope you can acquit yourself well.

"It's about the experience for our team and Peoria's fans."

It's more than two matches

Chivas will be active in the Peoria community during its multi-day stay here. In addition to the two exhibition matches, Peoria City will partner with Chivas de Guadalajara U23 and the Central Illinois Soccer Academy to host a player ID camp for Chivas. The Mexico team staff will evaluate the participants.

There will also be an evening meet-and-greet event and a one-day youth soccer camp featuring the players from both teams during CD Guadalajara U23's stay. Details for those activities will be announced soon.

The June 9 inaugural match is scheduled to be televised live from Peoria on NBC Sports Chicago. "For us to get on that platform will be an incredible opportunity to be seen," DeRose said. "Great exposure for both teams, really."

What to know about the Copa Peoria series

• The teams: Chivas de Guadalajara of Mexico's top professional league. Peoria City, of the USL League Two (U.S.-based pre-professional developmental league).
• Where: Bradley University's Shea Stadium (1523 W. Nebraska Ave., Peoria).
• The schedule: Two friendlies, June 9, 7:30 p.m. and June 12, 7:30 p.m.
• The roster: Chivas has a large prospect team roster, and Peoria City will likely face two different lineups in its two games. All of the Chivas players are pros, but it's possible players aged 17-18 could be mixed in with the older pro prospects.
• Fran Perez, director of Club Deportivo Guadalajara's youth academy: "For our club it will always be important to provide international activity for the development of all our youth categories, as well as helping to grow soccer in different latitudes. The fact that Peoria welcomes our U-23 team with open arms in a four-day event and with a Cup challenge highlights its importance for both parties, so we are thrilled to go and do our best to make it a very special event for the fans and the entire community of Peoria."

Peoria City soccer tickets 2024

The addition of the Copa Peoria series to the Peoria City schedule increases the team's 2024 home slate to nine games at Shea Stadium. Those nine games include the Copa Peoria games, the River Cities Cup (home-and-home against USL League Two foe St. Charles), and the Lincoln Cup (a home-and-home against non-league member Springfield FC).

Tickets go on sale for all games May 8, with options below. Group ticket options are available by contacting Peoria City at peoriacitysoccer@gmail.com.

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2024 SEASON TICKETS

• General Admission: $45.
• Family and Friends 4-Pack: $145 (add-ons available for $38.50 each).
• School of Carp Kids Club: $60.
• Shea Brigade seating with the 309 Supporters Group: $60.
• Fieldside Grandstand: $135.
• Fieldside Club: $240.
• Reserved Tailgate Parking: $25.

2024 SINGLE-GAME TICKETS

(Prices in parentheses for Copa Peoria series vs Chivas de Guadalajara U23)

• General Admission: $6 ($10).
• Shea Brigade with 309 Supporters Group: $10 ($15).
• Fieldside Grandstand: $18 ($22).
• Fieldside Club: $30 ($40).
• Reserved Tailgate Parking: $10.
• General Admission Parking: Free.
• Prairie Home Alliance Play Packs: $5.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.