For two slumping programs, today could be the start of redemption.

The Lawrence High and Free State boys soccer teams each hit the road to begin Class 6A regional action today. The Firebirds travel to Emporia to play the Spartans at 5 p.m., while the Lions will play at 6 p.m. at Washburn Rural.

It’s win or go home for both city teams, which means something needs to change because neither team has won much of late.

The Firebirds (6-8-2) started the season 5-1-2, but hit a rough stretch of Sunflower League games that resulted in six straight losses. The slide prevented Free State from being a top-four seed in the eight-team central region, forcing a long road trip.

Regardless, Free State has undeniable firepower, led by seniors Joel Angelone (17 goals, four assists) and Brian Ozorkiewicz (nine goals, four assists), which could be key in going deep in the postseason.

“We’re kind of excited about the fresh start,” FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said. “I think that we want an opportunity to show that we can play a lot better than we have.”

Meanwhile, the Lions (1-12-3) have struggled even more. Besides a big 2-0 victory over Shawnee Mission North, and ties with Free State, Leavenworth and Shawnee Mission South, the Lions have come up on the wrong side of the scoreboard most of the year, despite being competitive in nearly every game.

Among them is an early season 2-1 loss to Manhattan, the central region’s top-seeded team with a 12-3-1 record.

“They’re pumped up, actually,” LHS co-coach Matt Makens said of his team. “They have felt a little frustrated all season, but they we know we’ve been in every game we’ve played in.”

If the Firebirds win, they’ll travel to Manhattan and play either Manhattan or Junction City Thursday. If the Lions win, they’ll play either Topeka High or Leavenworth Thursday at Washburn Rural.

Either way, neither city team will see its home field in the postseason, but Pendleton, to a degree, shrugs off any possible home-field advantage.

“Obviously, you’d prefer to be at home,” he said. “But both teams have to play on the same field, with the same referees, and with the same ball.

“It shouldn’t matter too much.”