San Diego FC delivered a stunning performance in the opening week of the MLS, easily overcoming CF Montréal with a resounding 5-0 victory at Snapdragon Stadium. Goals from Christopher McVey (14’) and Amahl Pellegrino (47’) in the first half, followed by strikes from Onni Valakari (53’), Marcus Ingvartsen (58’), and Bryan Zamble (85’) sealed the fate of the visitors.
Highlighting the match, Onni Valakari thrilled the crowd with his brilliant finish early in the second half, capitalizing on a superb assist from Marcus Ingvartsen, managing to place the ball past keeper Thomas Gillier Correa.
Marcus Ingvartsen stood out as the star of the match, scoring one goal and taking three shots on target, demonstrating his pivotal role in leading his team to victory. Defensively, Christopher McVey made an impact by not only contributing to the defense but also scoring a goal himself.
The head coach of San Diego FC, Michael Anthony Varas, employed a 4-3-3 formation with Duran Ferree in goal, backed by a defensive line that included Luca Bombino, Christopher McVey, Manu Duah, and Kieran Sargeant. In the midfield, Aníbal Godoy, Jeppe Tverskov, and Onni Valakari worked hard to control the game, while Anders Dreyer, Marcus Ingvartsen, and Amahl Pellegrino led the attack.
On the other side, CF Montréal, managed by Marco Donadel, fielded a 4-5-1 formation with Thomas Gillier guarding the net. Their defensive lineup featured Bode Hidalgo, Efraín Morales, Tomás Avilés, and Brayan Vera, with Victor Loturi, Samuel Piette, Hennadii Synchuk, Olger Escobar, and Dagur Thórhallsson occupying the midfield, and Prince Osei Owusu as the lone striker.
The match, officiated by Joseph Dickerson, also saw disciplinary actions, including a yellow card for Victor Loturi of CF Montréal in the 5th minute for unsporting behavior, and a straight red handed to Tomás Avilés in the 50th minute, reducing the visitors to ten men.
Looking ahead, San Diego FC will face St. Louis City in their next match, while CF Montréal will travel to take on Chicago Fire.
Substitutions for San Diego FC
63’ – Onni Valakari for Alex Mighten
64’ – Marcus Ingvartsen for David Vazquez
70’ – Aníbal Godoy for Pedro Soma and Luca Bombino for Oscar Verhoeven
80’ – Amahl Pellegrino for Bryan Zamble
Yellow Card for San Diego FC
16’ – Christopher McVey (Fouling to prevent an opponent from advancing)
Substitutions for CF Montréal
45’ – Samuel Piette for Matty Longstaff
46’ – Hennadii Synchuk for Wikelman Carmona
50’ – Olger Escobar for Brandan Craig
61’ – Prince Osei Owusu for Daniel Rios
84’ – Victor Loturi for Jalen Neal
Yellow Card for CF Montréal
5’ – Victor Loturi (Unsporting behavior)
Red Card for CF Montréal
5’ – Tomás Avilés (Straight red card)