Bandwagon Beach

It's Monday! That means that today's episode of the podcast is free for all subscribers (both paid and unpaid). And, lucky you, we have on the show today Kevin Acee, who covers the San Diego Padres for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He joined us from the MLB Winter Meetings to talk about the forthcoming sale of the team, the status of A.J. Preller's contract extension, why Fernando Tatis Jr. trade rumors are different than trade rumors for other Padres players, and a lot more.

Before Darren Smith and John Gennaro get to Kevin, they first spend a few minutes talking about their weekends and the hilariously predictable controversies surrounding the College Football Playoff selection committee.

After Kevin leaves, the guys spend a few more minutes talking about the Padres' financial situation and the MLS Cup, which was won by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Also, could Mohamed Salah end up with San Diego FC now that things are getting rocky between him and Liverpool? Some experts think so.

00:00 - Weekend recap

03:00 - College Football Playoff / SDSU going to New Mexico Bowl

10:30 - Kevin Acee joins from MLB Winter Meetings

36:30 - What was Peter Seidler's financial situation?

47:30 - MLS Cup thoughts / Mo Salah to SDFC?

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After today's 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, Darren Smith chatted with ESPN's Cesar Hernandez about the draws for the U.S. Men's National Team and the Mexico national football team.

They also talked about San Diego FC's first season in MLS and what would be in the best interest of Hirving "Chucky" Lozano's future.

Finally, the guys talked about this weekend's MLS Cup between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and Cesar explains why he thinks Lionel Messi will lead Miami to a win.

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Darren Smith and John Gennaro took a few minutes away from watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw to do a weekend preview. They'll be back with a reaction to the World Cup draw later today.

As for this morning's podcast, the guys discussed accents, their weekend plans, how much has changed in college football over the last five years, if fans should overreact to the San Diego Padres signing a relief pitcher, next year's MLB Winter Meetings (which are supposed to be in San Diego), and this week's episode of Try This!

00:00 - Do you still have an accent?

11:30 - Good college football weekend / College Football Playoff thoughts

25:00 - Padres signed a reliever, should we panic?

36:30 - Will next year's Winter Meetings happen?

41:30 - Try This!

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Earlier this week, Darren Smith sat down with Mikey Varas, the head coach of San Diego FC, while the team was packing their bags and heading into the offseason.

Darren and Mikey talked about what there is to be learned from the loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Western Conference final of the MLS Cup Playoffs, and what Mikey said to the team after.

The guys also spent time talking about the SDFC fans that stuck around after the game to cheer and support the team, and what it means for the future of SDFC and their homefield advantage.

Darren also asked Mikey for the best compliment he heard about SDFC this season, his emotions at the end of the season, and how he plans to spend his offseason.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Mexico, Canada and the United State of America, is set to have its draw tomorrow. The leaders of all three countries will be in attendance, as will The Village People.

Darren Smith and John Gennaro talk for a few minutes about what they expect from the event before welcoming on independent journalist Karim Zidan, who runs the exceptional Sports Politika website, to talk about the World Cup draw, the dichotomy between Trump's policies and his desire to make money off the World Cup, Trump's friendship with Gianni Infantino, and if the UFC would ever distance itself from the President.

After Karim leaves, Darren talks about how FIFA is supposed to be an apolitical organization and John wonders what's going on with World Cup ticket sales.

Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month.

Darren Smith and John Gennaro respond to some recent video of Joe Musgrove, talking about what he wants to see in the next San Diego Padres owner, and Craig Stammen, who is visiting some of his Padres players in the Dominican Republic and has thoughts on the local cuisine.

The guys then welcome back to the show Sean Kelly, Formula 1 statistician and host, known as the "Virtual Statman," who provides statistics and facts for F1 television broadcasts and live events. He helps provides the lay of the land in Abu Dhabi and helps to preview the final race of the season, where Lando Norris, Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri could win the title.

00:00 - Checking in with Musgrove & Stammen

19:50 - Sean Kelly previews Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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Darren Smith and John Gennaro talk about San Diego FC, and the situation with Hirving "Chucky" Lozano that will be hanging over the team this offseason. It seems like he's destined to play somewhere else next year, but it's certainly not guaranteed. We'll wait to find out.

The guys then talk about San Diego State, who went from probably hosting the Mountain West Conference Championship game to being completely out of the game and never set to play another Mountain West game again. They also discussed the college football coaching carousel, which has finally gotten going after Lane Kiffin decided to leave Ole Miss for LSU (in the funniest way possible) and could maybe lead to Sean Lewis leaving the Aztecs for a bigger program.

Also, what ever happened to that A.J. Preller extension for the Padres? I guess we can add that to the list with Sean Lewis and Chucky Lozano of things we're going to have to wait to find out on.

00:00 - Setting alarms to watch morning sports

08:00 - SDFC's interesting choice with Chucky

21:30 - SDSU's season ends with a dud

33:00 - College football coaching carousel (Lane Kiffin & Sean Lewis)

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The first ever season for San Diego Football Club came to an end on Saturday night, when they lost in the Western Conference final to Vancouver Whitecaps FC by a score of 3-1. It was not a particularly close game, despite its proximity to the MLS Cup itself.

Darren Smith and John Gennaro talked on Monday morning for the first time since that game, did a short recap of it (and the showing from the supporters clubs after the game) before talking about some of the offseason questions that are already hanging over the team as they head into planning for Year 2.

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Darren Smith and John Gennaro check in on each other's Thanksgiving day plans and talk about the NFL's slate of games for the day before celebrating a win for San Diego State's men's basketball team over Oregon and talking about Mikey Varas and San Diego FC, who are tough MFers that understand what it means to live in San Diego.

Darren then sits down with his wife to provide a full shopping guide to inexpensive wine to help you prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month.

After calling San Diego FC's thrilling 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC, punching SDFC's ticket to the Western Conference final of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Darren Smith and John Gennaro jumped on and recorded an instant reaction podcast episode.

After getting a little bit of sleep, John woke up and ranted a bit about San Diego State losing a basketball game by 40 points to Michigan and the San Diego Padres announcing the hiring of their new bench coach and hitting coach.

00:00 - REACTION: San Diego FC beats Minnesota United 1-0

44:20 - SDSU loses to Michigan by 40 points

54:00 - Padres announce new bench coach, hitting coach

Section 1904 is a community-supported media company. If you like our content, considering subscribing at Section1904.com to support our work for as little as $5/month.