Credit: San Diego FC
Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego FC kicked off its second MLS season by dismantling CF Montreal at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night. The final score was 5-0, but it could have been a larger margin in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
“Overall, just really happy for the group,” said Mikey Varas postgame about his team’s performance. “At the same time, this is just one step in a long journey that we are going to have this year.”
Amahl Pellegrino scored a goal and two assists, while Chris McVey, Onni Valakari, Marcus Ingvartsen, and Bryan Zamble rounded out the goal scoring. Ingvartsen also added an assist. Anders Dreyer continued his stellar MLS play with two assists.
CG Montreal played the majority of the second half down a man after center back Tomas Aviles received a red card. The referee initially showed Aviles a yellow card for a foul on Pellegrino, but upgraded it after reviewing the VAR replay.
McVey scored the opening goal of the season for SDFC on a header from the center of the box in the 14th minute. Dreyer picked up the assist on the corner kick boot. Varas spoke postgame about the focus the team has put on set piece goals to help unlock games in 2026.
Two minutes into stoppage time of the first half, Pellegrino tapped in a rebound from the front of the box to give SDFC a 2-0 halftime lead. The buildup came from a header by Ingvartsen that led to an advantage for Dreyer and Pellegrino heading towards the Montreal end. Dreyer kept it himself and placed a shot into the low left corner of the box that was deflected by goalkeeper Thomas Gillier. Pellegrino was right there to send it into the back of the net.
Credit: SDFC
Valakari increased the lead shortly after Aviles’ red card, with a goal in the 54th minute to make it 3-0. Ingvartsen was credited with the assist.
Ingvartsen’s goal in the 59th minute came on an assist by Dreyer.
Alex Mighten and David Vazquez replaced Ingvartsen and Valakari in the 60th minute. Pedro Soma and Oscar Verhoeven also entered as substitutes later in the second half in place of Anibal Gody and Luca Bombino.
Bryan Zamble, the new Right to Dream International signing, came on for Pellegrino in the 81st minute and scored in the 85th. He took a cross from Jeppe Tverskov and calmly struck it past a defender and the goalie for the icing on the cake.
San Diego FC dominated possession throughout the night, finishing with a 64% to 36% advantage. They also outshot Montreal, 12-6 (8-2 on target).
“We did a great job of solving the puzzle of man marking because it feels like it’s not working a lot because it is so aggressive,” said Varas about Montreal’s style. “But we stayed committed to the plan in terms of how we could create space and then attack it.”
Durran Ferree, 19, made his first MLS start for San Diego FC. Pablo Sisiniega, who started the two Concacaf Cup matches earlier this month, was suspended due to a red card in the second half of the Western Conference Finals last season. CJ Dos Santos was active on the bench but still not fully recovered from his face and head injury late last season.
“It’s very special,” said Ferree postgame. “It’s a full circle moment for me. I started my career in San Diego three years ago with San Diego Loyal. And being able to take steps in my career and make my official first start in MLS is really special. I thank my teammates, coaches, family and of course, my lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
Ferree was tested early in the match, saving a left-footed shot by Hennadii Synchuk from the left side of the box. In the 27th minute, he elevated to catch a corner kick before an attacker could get to it. He finished with two saves.
“I think he just played a phenomenal game,” said Varas about Ferree postgame. “So brave on the ball and so proud of him with a shutout at 19 years old.”
“I definitely think I could have been sharper in some areas but really good takeaways from today,” added Ferree.
Kieran Sargeant started at left back in his MLS debut, moving Luca Bombino over to right back. The starting right back during the Concacaf Cub games, Wilson Eisner, was out due to injury.
Newcomer Lewis Morgan was listed as questionable heading into the contest but was not available on the matchday roster.
The pitch, which was one of three fields grown by West Coast Turf for Super Bowl 60, not used and bought by Snapdragon Stadium, looked fantastic for a cool February evening.
WWE’s Dominik Mysterio held the honor of being the first Keeper of the FLOW of the season.
San Diego FC returns to the pitch next Sunday to host St. Louis City FC. Kickoff is at 6:15 pm at Snapdragon Stadium.
Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.
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