Two massive games with huge implications on the line took place over the weekend to setup the 2026 USL2 Central Conference Final. One of those saw Peoria City upset 13-0-0 Minneapolis City SC in a huge 4-0 win. In the other Flint City Bucks defeated Steel City FC in an extremely tight contest that ended 2-1 in favour of the Bucks.
Saturday Semi-Final (Peoria, IL)
Peoria City 4 – 0 Minneapolis City SC
One team came into Saturday night unbeaten, but neither team left the river city unbeaten. Peoria's stout defence combined with a brace from DJ Koulai, and a few mistakes from Minneapolis City had the hosts winning their pod and advancing to next weeks Central Conference Final.
Minneapolis City had dominated nearly every team they faced during the 2026 season, but that came to an end on Saturday afternoon. Just past the ten minute mark Peoria's DJ Koulai scored the opener. Thirty minutes later he slipped through the Crows defence, beat the keeper, and slipped a second goal into the open goal handing Peoria a 2-0 lead at the break.
Coming out of the break with a deficit was not for the lack of trying on part of the Crows, but rather the dominant Peoria defence. While Minneapolis City outshot Peoria in the first half and continued in the second half, they just were unable to get many good chances on target. Peoria piled between seven and nine players into the box anytime the Crows came near, forcing Minneapolis to constantly shoot from long range. When the Crows did get a good chance on target Peoria keeper Samy Slimi was there putting his body on the line to stop it.
Offensive struggles opened up chances for Peoria to exploit in the second half, which they did to success. In the 67th minute following a corner sent in and bouncing around the box Jose Gomez last touched the ball on it's way into goal for Peoria's third goal of the night. Though that goal was initially ruled an own goal from Minneapolis City's Caleb Capone. With just minutes to play and frustration having set in Jeloni Murray-Powell was issued a red card for DOGSO right at the edge of the penalty area. While the ensuing free kick didn't manage a goal Preston Kipnusu was fouled inside the penalty area before the ball was cleared handing him a penalty that he put home at 90+1' to secure Peoria a 4-0 win.
Sunday Semi-Final (Flint, MI)
Flint City Bucks 2 – 1 Steel City FC
Up in Michigan one day later Flint City Bucks hosted Steel City FC (PA) in the other conference semi-final. Just as happened in Illinois the hosts came away with a victory, although not as one sided as Peoria's win on Saturday was.
It took nearly 30 minutes for a goal to be scored but it was Flint City that struck first thanks to Oliver Moller-Jensen. Coming into the second half Steel City did everything possible to push for an equaliser but Flint City's Jordy Lopez scored the second goal of the day as the match approached ten minutes to play. Steel City finally were able to get on the board thanks to a strike from Nathan Prex in the 88th minute. But it was just too late for Steel City to mount a comeback, moving Flint City Bucks into the conference final match.
Conference Final - Friday, 24 July at 6:30pm CT
Flint City Bucks vs Peoria City - Atwood Stadium in Flint, MI
Next up is the Conference Finals and National Semi-Finals starting on Friday afternoon. Neither of the two Central Conference sides will have to travel very far as Flint, MI and the Bucks are hosting the Western and Central Conference Finals as well as one of the two National Semi-Finals. Ballard FC will face Ventura County Fusion on Friday at 2pm CT for the Western title, with the winner moving on to Sunday's National Semi-Final.
Flint City and Peoria have met once before in the same round during the 2024 playoffs with Peoria City getting a 1-0 win at Shea Stadium in Peoria, IL. That season Peoria went to the National Final before ultimately falling at home to Seacoast United Phantoms in extra time.
