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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.
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Support Alex: chromaticfc.substack.com
Support Craig: patreon.com/padreshottub
Support Tony: sandiego.futbol
Support Alex: chromaticfc.substack.com
43 Episodes
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It's the last Chromaniacs of 2025 (unless something crazy happens)!Lewis Morgan trade, is he the answer at the 9 position?Kieran Sargeant trade, added depth to the back lineMLS Superdraft resultsSDFC opting out of Coachella ValleyEnd-of-year thoughts on SDFC's remarkable first season
Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña got together on Thursday, December 11 to record the latest episode of The Chromaniacs! On the show tonight...MLS season ends with Messi holding the Cup, and Vancouver bracing for possible relocationSDFC draws Pumas, a Liga MX top-four side, in the opening round of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the guys react to an early trip to Mexico CitySDFC announces a number of end-of-year roster moves, we go through them allSalah to SD? Don't count on it anytime soonWhat does the return of Amahl Pellegrino mean for Chucky Lozano next season?Who's Alex Peña's #1 dream free agent signing?
On the first post-season episode of The Chromaniacs...Alex's thoughts on the Western Conference FinalA dream foundation to a franchise startExit interview sound: Mikey Varas--Tyler Heaps--Chucky Lozano--Anders DreyerHow much will SDFC lean on Right to Dream?Who's more likely to be sought out by other leagues, Chucky or Dreyer?Onni Valakari is sticking around for three more years
Craig Elsten was joined by Tony Sanchez live at Snapdragon Stadium shortly after the Vancouver Whitecaps advanced past SDFC 3-1 in the MLS Western Conference Final. The young San Diego defense conceded twice early, and a third goal before half all-but-sealed their fate. Chucky Lozano's second-half goal gave a sellout crowd hope and also gave fuel to media questions about his future with the team. Hear post-match comments from SDFC head coach Mikey Varas, Lozano and captain Jeppe Tverskov. It wasn't the ending SDFC fans wanted, but it ended a first season that went far beyond expectation. The guys talk about it all with the rawness of happening right after the match.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Chromaniacs! Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña got together on Turkey Day Eve to talk all things SDFC heading into the Western Conference Final against Vancouver!Dreaming on the finish of this dream playoff runThe pitch has been replaced at Snapdragon Stadium!Training Ground Sound: Mikey Varas, Corey Baird, Manu Duah, Amahl PellegrinoComplete SDFC-Vancouver preview! How do we win this match?
The Chromaniacs (Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez, Alex Peña) gathered together for a live podcast late on Monday, November 24, 2025, reacting to San Diego FC's 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC, advancing the Azul y Chrome to the MLS Western Conference Final against Vancouver. Anders Dreyer scored the only goal of the match on a beautiful backheel assist from Corey Baird, while the young SDFC defensive line came through time and again, highlighted by Ian Pilcher's critical clearance off the line early in the second half. Pablo Sisniega was strong in net with a massive save in the 61st minute. Hear the guys' reaction to the match, plus post-match sound from head coach Mikey Varas, captain Jeppe Tverskov (who had a lot to say about poor pitch conditions), Anders Dreyer, Ian Pilcher and Pablo Sisniega!
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
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