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Chromaniacs: a San Diego FC Podcast
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© Copyright Craig Elsten
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Chromaniacs is the independent San Diego FC podcast the world has been waiting for! Join veteran broadcasters Craig Elsten and Tony Sanchez, along with Chromatic FC substack author Alex Peña for a weekly look at what's happening with SDFC and MLS. Each podcast gives an overview of SDFC's most recent match, discussion topics surrounding the club, a look at supporter cuture for SDFC, and a preview of the next match. Recording on Thursdays.
Support Craig: patreon.com/padreshottub
Support Tony: sandiego.futbol
Support Alex: chromaticfc.substack.com
Support Craig: patreon.com/padreshottub
Support Tony: sandiego.futbol
Support Alex: chromaticfc.substack.com
37 Episodes
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An extra-long edition of The Chromaniacs taking you into the Western Conference Semifinal vs. Minnesota! Don't Panic! Chucky and Anders are OKSDFC locks in Luca Bombino and Oscar VerhovenFirst look: 2026 MLS ScheduleVOICE OF THE SUPPORTER: Locals SG President Steve Brockhoff on what it means to be an OG supporter in San DiegoTRAINING GROUND SOUND: Mikey Varas--Amahl Pellegrino--Luca BombinoSDFC-Minnesota previewTheir gameplan vs our gameplan
On episode #23 of The Chromaniacs, Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña get together to discuss...Another sellout for SDFC in the playoffs as the 11/24 game is already sold outInternational Break, time for Lozano, Dreyer, Godoy and McNair to STAY HEALTHYThen a full MLS Schedule change discussion...How will the July-to-May schedule work?What does it mean to switch to a single table playoff?How will the scheduling divisions work?Does this benefit MLS for the league, players, and growth?How does the schedule change benefit SDFC and RIght to Dream?If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a five-star review on your podcast platform of choice, and/or a kind written review, thank you!
Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña got together live on YouTube an hour after San Diego FC ended their playoff series against Portland with a dominant 4-0 home win. The guys talk about the surprising decision to stick with Amahl Pellegrino over Chucky Lozano, and how he delivered a brace along with SDFC MVP Anders Dreyer. SDFC moves on to play Minnesota United FC on Monday, November 24 in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña got together on Friday, November 7, 2025 to record episode #22 of The Chromaniacs. On this show: A full Sunday for San Diego soccer fansA brief look back at Match TwoAnders Dreyer wins MLS Newcomer of the Year and is on MLS Best XIMikey Varas a distant third for MLS Coach of the YearIt's our gameplan vs theirs, who prevails in Match Three?Pablo Sisniega Confidence-o-Meter?Training Ground Sound: Mikey Varas--Anders Dreyer--Corey Baird
On Monday's episode of 2 Balls and a Mic, the Chromaniacs were invited on to break down and discuss Saturday's painful SDFC loss in penalty kicks to the Portland Timbers. Craig Elsten and Alex Peña joined Tony Sanchez, Chiva Villaseñor and Abe Zepeda to look at lineup and substitution decisions, how the Timbers now have a gameplan for the third and deciding match, and what adjustments SDFC head coach Mikey Varas can make going into Sunday's home series finale.
ON THE SHOW TONIGHT: SDFC captain Jeppe Tverskov gets a contract extension through 2027/2028The MLS playoffs are one match deep, where does everyone stand?The playoff format is fun...for now. It's about to get sillySDFC killing it with attendanceSpooky question: who is the team in the West you are most afraid of?TAM Talk: putting the ghost of Milan Iloski to restTraining Ground Sound: Mikey Varas--CJ Dos Santos--Onni ValikariMatch Two Preview: what strategic tack will Portland take, and how should SDFC respond?
Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña get together an hour after San Diego FC wins their first-ever playoff match, a 2-1 home result against Portland Timbers. The guys talk through an incredible atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium, a composed and effective start from SDFC, and every step on the way to a playoff result that sets up Los Chromados well for what is to come. Also, hear post-match sound from head coach Mikey Varas, forward Anders Dreyer and midfielder Luca de la Torre.
On today's show: Alex Peñs reviews his trip to Portland to watch SDFC clinch first placeIs the Chucky Lozano situation resolved? Was this best-case scenario?Who should start at left wing on Sunday, Lozano or Pellegrino?Mikey Varas and Anders Dreyer earn MLS award nominationsDoes Portland play to win or do they play for penalties?The #1 thing SDFC needs to avoid doing on Sunday
Saturday night, San Diego FC beat down Portland Timbers 4-0 at Providence Park, and the result combined with a Vancouver loss gave SDFC first place in the Western Conference of MLS, setting all-time expansion season records for wins, points and away wins. While both Craig Elsten and Tony Sanchez were working at the San Diego Wave FC match concurrently, they had the game on and got together live on YouTube late Saturday night to celebrate the club's win and accomplishments. However, it's never a 100% sunshine story in San Diego sports, so there is also the issue of Chucky Lozano's absence, and head coach Mikey Varas' cryptic comment about him after the match. Get hyped up with Craig and Tony, and hear what Varas had to say in this post-match show!The guys will be back with Alex Peña on Thursday with reaction to the Western Conference Wild Card Game, and a preview of SDFC's first home playoff match on Sunday. Make sure to subscribe to Chromaniacs on YouTube and hit the notification bell to find out every time we go live after matches!
ON THE SHOW TONIGHTWe go through every possible scenario on how SDFC can finish the season, from first to fourth placeTraining Ground Sound: Mikey Varas and Amahl PellegrinoThe Never-Ending Search for a #9 (and it's NOT Pellegrino)Marcus Ingvartsen, where's WaldoSDFC-Portland Timbers preview!
In lieu of a traditional post-match show, on Monday night the Chromaniacs (Craig Elsten and Alex Peña) joined their fellow Chromaniac Tony Sanchez on his 2 Balls and a Mic podcast with co-host Abraham Zepeda. The guys broke down SDFC's 4-2 win in Houston, the breakout performance of Amahl Pellegrino, how much stock to put in SDFC's return to offensive form, the impact of international break departures and how the Chrome and Azul are set up in the endgame of trying to chase down the top spot in the Western Conference of MLS.
The San Diego Padres have been eliminated. Now, SDFC has the chance to become the first major pro sports team in San Diego history to win a championship. But the road to the playoffs has been bumpy of late, filled with no-goal potholes. On the latest episode of the Chromaniacs, Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña discuss:SDFC's championship opportunityCould Marcus Ingvartsen return by season's end, and who should play the nine until he returns?Luca de la Torre left off the USMNT roster for October, what does it mean for club and playerTraining Ground Sound: Mikey Varas and Chris McVeySDFC at Houston Dynamo match preview
Tony Sanchez is at Snapdragon Stadium, joined by Craig Elsten and Alex Peña in studio to break down a disappointing 1-0 home loss to San Jose Earthquakes. It seems like San Diego soccer fans have been shown the same match for almost four months now, with great possession but very little finishing touch, and goals conceded against the run of play. The guys work through their frustration over the never-ending hole at the #9 position, and hear the post-match comments from head coach Mikey Varas.
On tonight's show: SDFC plays well for a half in Atlanta, then stumblesThe battle for first place in the West tightens upLuca de la Torre's struggles in the midfieldWho starts at left back wtih Bombino out?SDFC-San Jose Earthquakes preview
ON THE SHOW TONIGHTSDFC shows SDSU how to fill Snapdragon Stadium without giving away the houseLooking back at a loss to the LoonsHow can SDFC reach next year's CONCACAF Champions CupMikey Varas wants SDFC to support all national teams (training ground sound)SDFC-Atlanta United previewIs this the ultimate trap game on the schedule?
Tony Sanchez is live from Snapdragon Stadium, Craig Elsten and Alex Peña join from home to break down a 4-2 win over Club Tijuana in the first-ever Baja Cup. David Vasquez made a play for a bigger role in the offense with a goal and assist. Tomas Ángel delivered a beautiful assist on the Vasquez goal. Manu Duah nailed a header in the box on a corner kick for the lead. And "Guest Player 37" capped things off with a fourth goal. Guest player WHO? Tony has the answers on the names behind the guests. The guys hear from head coach Mikey Varas about the win.
ON THE SHOW TONIGHT! The international break is over, what happened?Right to Dream academy officially launches, MLS Next team comingSDFC vs Xolos, the "Baja Cup" is coming next weekSDFC spoiled Sonny's debut for LAFC but NOT in South Korean AI recaps!Match preview: Minnesota at SDFCWhat's the dream scenario for Saturday's results? How can Los Chromados overcome Minnesota's planned low-block defense?Audio: Onni Valakari from the SDFC training grounds
Monday night, the Chromaniacs and 2 Balls and a Mic got together for another epic roundtable, talking about the hottest team in MLS! SDFC's 2-1 win at LAFC was the signature win so far of an inaugural season that has already delivered more memories than could possibly be imagined. With no match this week, we wanted to share the excitement of our talk with the Chromaniacs audience! The panel went through the match in detail, the implications for the MLS table, how CJ Dos Santos has regained his firm grip on the goalkeeping position, and much, much more!
ON THE SHOW TONIGHTLooking back at a 0-0 draw against PortlandWhy does SDFC play so much better away than at home? Craig has a theoryLos Chromados about to be hit with call-ups for the U-20 USMNTVOICE OF THE SUPPORTER: Adriene (Papi Chavo) joins us to talk about the growth of the supporter section and what it takes to be a drummer for Frontera SDMATCH PREVIEW: SDFC faces their biggest test of the regular season when they travel to BMO Stadium on Sunday night
ON THE SHOW TONIGHTWhat does Duru bring to SDFC?How can the Chromados use Duru now and in the future?How does this impact who is already here?The future of SDFC is youth AND sellingTraining Sound from Leo Duru and Mikey VarasThe Last Team We Haven't Seen in the West: PortlandPlayoff Clinching Scenarios
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