Episode 26: Semi-Final Special — Tyler Heaps on Year One, Identity & Building the Club
It’s Semi-Final week and Sporting Director Tyler Heaps joins us to reflect on his first season building San Diego FC from the ground up. Darren Smith caught up with him at the training ground for a candid look at recruitment, identity, lessons learned, and the foundations for Year Two. And yes — we had to ask which current SDFC player most mirrors Tyler’s own playing style. Adrian García-Márquez hosts alongside Katia Castorena and Darren Smith, as the team look back on a Year One that’s already exceeded expectations. MLS journalist Charles Boehm returns with insight on the club’s identity, the influence of Right to Dream, and why this project is turning heads across the league. Plus, the authority on all things MLS — Callum Williams — sends a voice note breaking down how Monday’s matchup may unfold. The regular-season meetings between San Diego and Minnesota were pure chaos — a halfway-line goal, a red card, an own goal, and big performances at both ends. Now they meet again, with everything at stake. All roads lead to a sold-out Snapdragon Stadium — a Murph Dragon ready to breathe fire as 32,000 fans push San Diego FC toward the Western Final. Playoff football. A city rising. The moment is here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode 25: Back Where It All Started – Preseason Revisited | Re-Air
Fresh from a statement 4-0 win over the Portland Timbers, San Diego FC has booked its place in the Western Conference semifinals — and the city is buzzing. With an international break giving us a brief pause in the action, Behind the Flow rewinds to where it all began: the final chapter of our behind-the-scenes documentary series, Episode 10: Preseason. In this special re-air, Darren Smith opens the show with reflections on that emphatic win against Portland, looks ahead to next week’s semifinal clash at the Snapdragon against Minnesota United, and sets the stage for a look back at how the story started. Originally released in July 2025, Preseason captured San Diego FC just weeks before their debut match — when the new training facility at Singing Hills opened its doors, Mikey Varas led his first sessions with the team, and Tyler Heaps put the final touches on the inaugural roster. From those first touches at training to the playoff push that’s followed, this episode is a reminder of how far San Diego’s journey has come — and how much further there is still to go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode 24: Win, or Go Home – Luchi Gonzalez on Mikey Varas, Playoff Mindset & Game 3
Saturday night in Portland was a rollercoaster. San Diego FC led twice through Amahl Pellegrino and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano — only to be pegged back in stoppage time before falling on penalties. Now, with the series level, it all comes down to one last game — a sold-out decider at Snapdragon Stadium this Sunday night. Adrian García-Márquez is joined by Katia Castorena and Darren Smith to relive the drama and look ahead to Game 3, alongside special guest Luchi González — Mikey Varas’s longtime mentor and the man who first spotted his coaching spark. Luchi shares his insight into Mikey’s leadership, the use of young players, and how to reset after heartbreak. We also hear from former Timber Rod Wallace with his view from Portland and his thoughts on what both sides need to do to advance. From mindset to momentum, belief to bounce-back — Behind the Flow dives inside San Diego’s biggest night yet. The playoffs have reached their tipping point — and the Flow Decider is here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode 23: Inside the Stands — Riptides, Frontera SD, and a Playoff Night to Remember
San Diego FC’s first-ever MLS playoff night was one to remember. In front of 32,500 fans at Snapdragon Stadium, Onni Valakari made history with the club’s first playoff goal before Anders Dreyer doubled the lead in a 2–1 win over Portland — a night that showed just how far this club and city have come. With Adrian García-Márquez on World Series duty, Katia Castorena steps in alongside Darren Smith to relive the win, the atmosphere, and the stories behind it. They’re joined by Matt Buse from the Riptides and Frontera SD — speaking about the game from his place in the capo stand, leading the chants, drums, and that unforgettable tifo. Matt also documented the days leading up to the match in a special audio diary, capturing how the supporters prepared for a moment like this. We also hear from former Timber legend Rod Wallace, who shares his view on the game and what Portland must do next. From tifo to tactics, chants to late drama, Behind the Flow captures the energy of a historic night — and looks ahead to Game Two in Portland.The playoffs have begun — and the Flow goes on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode 22: From the Field to the Classroom – How Right to Dream Is Shaping the Future in San Diego
Right to Dream has built a global reputation for developing not just footballers, but leaders — from its academies in Ghana, Denmark, and Egypt to its newest home in the United States. Fresh from a 4–0 win away to Portland that sealed top spot in the West, Behind the Flow shifts focus from the players making headlines to the ones who could follow in their footsteps. Adrian García-Márquez and Darren Smith go inside San Diego FC’s new academy — the first fully residential, scholarship-based program in Major League Soccer — to explore how the Right to Dream philosophy is being brought to life in North America. We hear from Head of Academy Football John McGuigan and Head of School Rachelle Minix on the balance between football, academics, and character — plus the international team of coaches shaping how the next generation of American players will grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
San Diego F.C. is a club being built from the ground up - in record time. But joining as the 30th team for MLS’ 30th year, they aren’t here to make up the numbers. They've got a plan to rock American soccer to its foundations.
Join local boy, and network sportscaster Adrian Garcia Marquez as we go behind the scenes to meet the people involved in their race to build a brand, grow a fanbase and recruit a team from scratch.
This is Behind the Flow - the origin story of San Diego F.C.
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