Amahl Pellegrino sparks San Diego FC with goal and two assists in 5-0 Montreal opener

San Diego opens the 2026 MLS season with a five-goal statement at Snapdragon Stadium

San Diego FC began its 2026 Major League Soccer regular season with a 5-0 win over CF Montréal on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Snapdragon Stadium, a result that delivered three points and an early marker for the club’s second MLS campaign.

Amahl Pellegrino finished with a goal and two assists as San Diego scored twice before halftime and added three more after the break. The match was the first regular-season game of the year for both teams and their first meeting in league play.

How the match unfolded

San Diego took the lead in the 14th minute through Christopher McVey, who converted from close range to make it 1-0. Pellegrino then doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time, scoring at 45+2’ to send the hosts into halftime up two goals.

The game shifted further in San Diego’s favor shortly after the restart when Montréal’s Tomás Avilés received a straight red card in the 50th minute, leaving the visitors to play the remainder of the match a man down. San Diego capitalized in quick succession: Onni Valakari scored in the 53rd minute, Marcus Ingvartsen added a fourth in the 59th, and Bryan Zamblé completed the scoring in the 85th.

• Scorers: McVey (14’), Pellegrino (45+2’), Valakari (53’), Ingvartsen (59’), Zamblé (85’)
• Key disciplinary moment: Avilés sent off (50’)

Debuts and defensive control

San Diego’s defensive performance was anchored by 18-year-old goalkeeper Duran Ferree, who made his MLS debut and recorded a shutout. The clean sheet reflected a controlled match in which San Diego limited Montréal’s clear chances, particularly after taking a two-goal lead into the break.

San Diego’s attacking efficiency was complemented by sustained control of the ball and territory. Over 90 minutes, the home side finished with 69% possession and produced 11 shot attempts, including seven on target, while Montréal registered six attempts with two on goal.

Final: San Diego FC 5, CF Montréal 0 — Feb. 21, 2026, Snapdragon Stadium.

Early-season implications

The result places San Diego at 1-0-0 to open the league schedule, while Montréal begins 0-0-1. Beyond the standings impact, the match offered San Diego immediate evidence of depth and integration, with multiple contributors finding the scoresheet and the team turning a halftime lead into a decisive win once Montréal went down a player.

For Montréal, the opening night underscored how quickly a match can tilt after a dismissal, with the red card arriving at a pivotal point and the defensive workload increasing sharply against an opponent that was already ahead on the scoreboard.