From thirty strangers to the top of the West, San Diego FC’s debut season has been shaped by one man: Head Coach Mikey Varas. This week, Behind the Flow steps off the pitch and into the dugout to uncover the story of San Diego’s first head coach — his Chilean-American roots, his coaching journey, the inspiration he’s drawn from football’s biggest names, and the philosophy that drives his bold style of play.

Adrian García-Márquez is joined by ESPN’s Katia Castorena and San Diego Sports 760’s Darren Smith to unpack Varas’s impact on and off the field. We unlock the archives to revisit interviews with Mikey over the past year, reflect on how he’s grown into the role, share what we’ve observed at training sessions, and recount some of our own experiences with him. Guardian journalist John Muller also joins us to discuss his in-depth article on San Diego’s record-breaking build-up play — and why it already ranks among the very best in world football.

From locker-room moments to leadership lessons, we ask: What makes Mikey Varas so effective, and just how far can he go in the game?

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