Emporia FC has announced a league change for the 2026 season. The Black Lions will join The League for Clubs next season. The league formed in 2024 and began its inaugural season this March. Black Lion head coach Victor Ibarra talked about the reasons for the move.
Emporia had played its first two seasons in the Midwest South Conference of the United Premier Soccer League. Ibarra said the move to The League for Clubs will ensure better quality competition for the squad.
The Black Lions will play in the second season of the league which is set to begin in May and run through August in 2026. Ibarra said that works well for the program.
The Black Lions finished 6-2-3 this year following a one-win season in 2024. Ibarra said the team will be eligible to compete for this year’s U.S. Open Cup, a knockout competition in men’s soccer dating back to 1913. The team is eligible for qualifiers based on its results in the 2025 UPSL regular season.
