Chromaniacs: a San Diego FC Podcast

The Chromaniacs are back for season two! Join Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña throughout 2026 as they cover the latest news and offer the latest views on San Diego FC and MLS!

On this week's show::

Expectations for SDFC coming off the best inaugural year in MLS historyWhat does SDFC have left to do before the season begins?Why is Chucky Lozano not in the club's social media posts? Concern-o-meter!Luca lands in Charlotte, St. Claire moves to Miami, we look at MLS roster movesMore youth coming to San Diego's roster with Søe? 

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?W...

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...

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 t...

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 t...

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...

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT


We 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 S...

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 TONIGHT



SDFC 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 co...

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 TONIGHT


Looking 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 TONIGHT



What 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

Monday night's first hour of 2 Balls and a Mic (the flagship podcast of SanDiego.Futbol) brought together The Chromaniacs, along with Chiva and Abe of SD.F, for a fun hour of roundtable SDFC talk! The group focused on Sunday's road result, a 2-1 win in San Jose which gave SDFC six straight wins away from San Diego. Marcus Ingvartsen's return to center forward led to a pair of goals, is he the key to SDFC's offense going forward? The group dissect the game from start to finish, including some strong defense from the young back line, an egregious error...

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT




A look back at SDFC's 2-0 win in Kansas CityWho is SDFC's best young rookie?Could two SD pro teams win their divisions this year?VOICE OF THE SUPPORTER




Frontera SD Vice President Vanessa B joins the show!Creating supporter energy in San Diegothe challenge of bringing multiple SGs under one bannerSD-SAN JOSE PREVIEW




Alex Peña's experience becoming a soccer fan in San JoseJeeping the Cristians under controlCan SDFC keep their remarkable road run going?

The Chromaniacs gather late on a Saturday night after a 2-0 SDFC win at Sporting KC. 


Getting your Designated Players right matters in MLS...a LOTIndividual brilliance from Chucky Lozano for a 1-0 leadSDFC holding off an hour of spirited KC attackDreyer using his determination and getting a little luck tooCJ Dos Santos back in net with a clean sheetWhy does SDFC play so well away from home? 

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT


Milan Iloski to Philadelphia, a tale of TAMCorey Baird to SDFC, what kind of fit will he be?Is Marcus Ingvartsen the key player down the stretch at forward?Leagues Cup Review: a goodbye win over MazatlanAnother change in netMikey Varas post-Mazatlan soundSporting KC preview: can SDFC keep up their road form in the heat and humidity?

ON TODAY'S SHOW

Transfers incoming, Duran Furree returns, we check out the latest roster moves!A look back at a tough night against Pachuca in the Leagues Cup openerWas Leagues Cup the right fit for a young SDFC franchise? Preview of tonight (Friday's) match vs Tigres UANLTraining grounds sound from head coach Mikey Varas and forward Tomas Ángel

Craig Elsten and Alex Peña break down and discuss SDFC's stirring 1-0 win over Nashville SC, helping keep San Diego on top of the Western Conference table. Tony Sanchez joins the guys from Snapdragon Stadium, bringing along post-match sound from head coach Mikey Varas and captain Jeppe Tverskov.

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña talk all things San Diego FC with you weekly, and after every match! 

On this week's main show, the guys take a look at the early names linked to SDFC in the transfer window. Looks like the team is getting even younger than it already is. Can we really say San Diego FC is going for it in MLS, or are they settling more into a first-year expansion outlook? 

Nashville SC is in town for a Friday night showdown at Snapdragon Stadium. The guys look at what might be...

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña break down a dramatic 1-1 draw that allowed SDFC to stay atop the MLS Western Conference standings for now. Included, discussion of the tremendous night for a very young back line, performances from Ian Pilcher and Manu Duah, great keeping from Pablo Sisniega and SDFC's lack of center-forward attack.

Agenda 7/17/2025IntroFollow us on IG at @thechromaniacsPlease rate/reviewIloskiMilan Iloski is gone just like thatWhat has Tony heard around the club for their side of the story?What Tyler Heaps had to sayEmpirical evidence this was not anticipated: Iloski appearance at 18 Threads the week prior, Iloski jerseys prominently displayed the weekend prior! Now there’s a #9-sized hole in the SDFC attackToronto FC 1 SDFC 0What a time to play a disconnected game and lose to a bottom-tier sideNegri’s penalty was earned and partially caused by poor pass-back play to se...

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña come together live on YouTube after SDFC's 2-1 road win over Chicago Fire, continuing the expansion club's remarkable run of success on the road. The guys break down a tremendous first half and wobbly second half, choose their Man of the Match and more! During the show, they receive the news as reported by sandiego.futbol that head coach Mikey Varas held top striker Milan Iloski out of the lineup because his loan is due to expire at the end of the month. Why would SDFC hurt their own lineup in the s...

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña begin with an exciting announcement: Chromaniacs is going to a twice-weekly recording schedule! The show will now be airing both on Thursdays as well as after each SDFC match. Also on the docket for episode #7: 
Did last week’s 4-3 loss to Houston expose a longer-term issue for SDFC? (weakness in defender depth, back-door of a pressure strategy)What is the summer transfer window? How much can SDFC spend?Training grounds sound from Mikey VarasPreviewSDFC at Chicago FireWe get to hate Gregg Berhalter again! Mikey vs G...

It's summer in San Diego, SDFC is #1 in the Western Conference and perfect on a three-match road trip, Anders Dreyer is an MVP candidate, and the stadium atmosphere is vibrant and rocking. What more could a San Diego soccer fan ask for? 

On this week's episode of the Chromaniacs, Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña look back at a magical comeback in the heat at FC Dallas. What should the nickname be for the three-headed-attack of Chucky Lozano, Milan Iloski and Anders Dreyer? Take a moment to reflect on where this expansion team is today, now.  Duration: 01:19:25

Craig, Tony and Alex are back to review a remarkable 5-3 road win over Vancouver, pushing SDFC into first place in the Western Conference of MLS. Milan Iloski. MILAN ILOSKI! Four goals in his first-ever MLS start?? Where should the mural go in San Diego County? 

PLUS: Three SDFC MLS All-Stars, the building savvy of GM Tyler Heaps, a full preview of SDFC-FC Dallas and much more! 

Please do us the favor if you're reading this and leave the show a five-star review on your podcast platform of choice, thanks!

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña are back for another weekly conversation about San Diego FC. On the heels of a 4-2 away victory at Minnesota, the question is asked, was this the best result of the season? Milan Iloski continues to turn heads, is it time for a new contract and promotion to the starting lineup? Plus, thoughts on the upcoming summer transfer window and if SDFC should go for a third designated player (DP) or stay on the Under-22 track. Last but not least, a preview of next Wednesday's match at Vancouver.

Craig, Tony and Alex look back at a well-attended friendly against Club America, one where the visitors brought their fourth team and SDFC took advantage for a 3-0 win. Looking ahead to a huge road match at Minnesota, the question becomes who will fill in for Chucky Lozano?

Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez and Alex Peña are back for the second episode of Chromaniacs! 

This week, the guys go back through a 2-0 win over Austin FC. In the discussion: 


The return of Marcus IngvartsenWho should take Chucky Lozano's minutes now that he is injured again?Piling up points at home before a tough second halfIs Milan Ilovski better served starting or coming off the bench?The North End minus three top supporters groups on SaturdayA SDFC-Club América preview! 

(Originally posted 5/29/25)

Join Craig Elsten, Tony Sanchez (SanDiego.Futbol) and Alex Peña (Chromatic FC Substack) for a weekly conversation about San Diego FC and MLS! In this inaugural episode, the guys introduce themselves, take an overview look at SDFC's season to date, review a 1-0 loss at Seattle, discuss the fallout from the previous Saturday's clash between LA Galaxy and SDFC supporters groups, and preview the Saturday match vs Austin FC.