San Diego FC trounce CF Montreal 5-0 in MLS season Opener

San Diego FC defender Chris McVey celebrates his goal in the team’s 5-0 victory against CF Montreal. McVey was the first player to get on the scoresheet. (Emmanuel Alonso/Sandiego.futbol)

San Diego FC is showing no signs of slowing down.

After a short offseason and quick return to play, San Diego FC returned to MLS regular season action with a dominant 5-0 victory against CF Montreal.

San Diego played a good first half earning a goal in a set piece opportunity in the 14th minute then cementing their lead just before the end of the first half. Then the reigning Western Conference regular season champions blew the game open with three more goals following a red card to CF Montreal.

“We did a great job of solving the puzzle, what can be a very frustrating puzzle of man marking,” said Head Coach Mikey Varas. “and because it feels like it's not working a lot because it's so aggressive, but we just stayed committed to the plan and in terms of how we could create space so that we can then attack it.”

The first goal of the night was scored by Chris McVey who positioned himself well in a corner kick opportunity near the front post allowing him to head the ball down and away from the opposing goalkeeper.

The second goal of the night came in the second minute of stoppage time.

Dreyer ran the ball down the pitch and attempted to slot a goal past the goalkeeper on the ground. The keeper dropped to his left to stop the shot, but the deflection landed right in front of Amahl Pellegrino on the back post. Pellegrino tapped the ball in easily to make it 2-0 

The first half all but sealed the victory, but CF Montreal hurt their gameplan with a poor defensive play in the 50th minute. Center back Tomás Aviles tried to stop Amahl Pellegrino on a counterattack, and slid directly into his legs in a dangerous manner. The referee initially only called a foul, but after a VAR check the official gave Aviles a red card forcing Montreal to 10 players. 

SDFC midfielder Onni Valakari scored the next goal after a well timed assist by Marcus Ingvartsen drawing defenders away from Valakari, then Ingvartsen got on the scoresheet himself with a strong shot from the middle of the box to make it 4-0.

San Diego also featured six teenagers in the match including San Diego FC’s first-ever signing, Duran Ferree starting at goalkeeper in place of Pablo Sisniega who earned a red card in SDFC’s last MLS match in 2025.

Ferree has been a known prospect to many in the San Diego area as he signed his first professional contract at 16 years old with USL Championship squad, San Diego Loyal. Ferree signed a new contract with San Diego FC after the Loyal ceased operations in 2023.

“Yeah, it's very special. It's a full circle moment for me. I started my career in San Diego three years ago, with San Diego Loyal,” said Ferree after the match. “Being able to make steps throughout my career and make my official start with MLS, is really special. I could thank my teammates, coaches, my family and of course my lord and savior Jesus Christ."

Arguably the most impressive goal of the night came in the 85th minute by San Diego FC’s newest signing, Bryan Zamblé, a graduate of San Diego FC’s global academy, Right to Dream.

The 18-year-old forward substituted on in the 81st minute for Amahl Pellegrino and used his speed to get into a dangerous spot on the left wing inside the penalty area. Zamblé confused a defender with his feet forcing him to go the wrong way for a short second giving him enough space to take a shot on goal to make it 5-0.

“Bryan [Zamblé] getting in the game and scoring a goal. I think that (is) really important for his confidence, but also I think it's so important to show what we said in the past, that we're a big club,” said Varas. “It's not just San Diego, it's the entire Right to Dream Community. (Zamblé) started being scouted in Ivory Coast, going through the academy in Ghana, then into (International Academy,) now to us.The future is bright for him.”

San Diego FC play their next match at home in one week against St. Louis City S.C.on Sunday, March 1.