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Pelligrino’s three-point night helps San Diego whip Montreal 5-0 in MLS season opener

Feb 21, 2026 | 10:53 PM

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Amahl Pellegrino had a goal and two assists to help San Diego FC beat CF Montreal 5-0 on Saturday night in the Major League Soccer regular-season opener for both teams.

Eighteen-year-old Duran Ferree made his MLS debut and finished with two saves for San Diego.

Tomas Aviles was shown a straight red card in the 50th minute and Montreal played a man down the rest of the way.

Christopher McVey, Onni Valakari, Marcus Ingvartsen and 18-year-old Bryan Zamblé each added a goal for San Diego. Valakari, Ingvartsen and Zamblé made their MLS debuts.

McVey opened the scoring in the 14th minute, bouncing a header inside the back post, and Pelligrino scored in the second minute of stoppage time to give San Diego a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Thomas Gillier stopped three shots for Montreal.

San Diego had 64 per cent possession and outshot Montreal 12-6, including 6-0 in the second half.

UP NEXT

Montreal: Visits the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Feb. 28.

San Diego: Hosts St. Louis City on Sunday, March 1.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Associated Press