It's looking like another long season ahead for the Bleu-blanc-noir.
CF Montréal succumbed to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of San Diego — what now?
The away side lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Thomas Gillier in goal and a backline of Brayan Vera, Efrain Morales, Tomas Avilés, and Bode Hidalgo. Victor Loturi and Samuel Piette formed a double pivot, with Olger Escobar operating as the number 10 in front of them. Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Gennadiy Synchuk occupied the wings, with Prince Owusu leading the line.
San Diego started on the front foot, keeping possession and attacking down both sides, though they struggled to find space inside the box.
The breakthrough came from a corner, as Christopher McVey headed home the opener from Anders Dreyer's delivery.
Let’s gooo McVeyyy pic.twitter.com/0xCIhNIFCZ
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 22, 2026
Montréal responded well, staying compact and enjoying a spell of around 20 minutes in which they worked their way into dangerous areas but couldn't manage a shot on goal.
Thorhallsson had a chance to level things up, but took too long and was unable to get a shot off.
Just as the first half was drawing to a close, San Diego broke away on the counter, with Amahl Pellegrino finishing a tap-in to make it 2-0.
San Diego's transition 😱
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 22, 2026
Amahl Pellegrino doubles the lead just before half! pic.twitter.com/9Bx1tGUYNA
Things got worse for Montréal just five minutes into the second half.
Tomás 'Toto' Avilés caught Amahl Pellegrino with a foul near the centre of the pitch and was shown a yellow card, but after a VAR check, referee Joe Dickerson upgraded it to a red, making a comeback all but impossible.
San Diego made the most of the extra man, scoring twice in five minutes to put the game to bed.
Onni Valakari drove into the middle of the pitch and unleashed a free shot that beat Thomas Gillier to make it 3-0.
Onni Valakari makes it 3-0 pic.twitter.com/S6XQRQyEMd
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 22, 2026
Minutes later, Marcus Ingvartsen struck from just inside the box, with the ball clipping the bar before finding the net for 4-0.
Marcus GOALLL 4⃣ pic.twitter.com/slqSbmYfdJ
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 22, 2026
The hosts kept the ball but played with more composure, opting for patient build-up play rather than forcing things.
In the 85th minute, Bryan Zamblé added the icing on the cake with a fifth.
BRIAN 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/n3ZnC1h7XY
— San Diego FC (@sandiegofc) February 22, 2026
San Diego continued to press for a sixth but couldn't add to their tally.
Club captain Samuel Piette insisted the game was a tale of two halves: "First half was pretty well balanced, we were in the game. Yes, we conceded two goals, goals that were avoidable mistakes, but we were in the match." (translated from French)
"I think we wanted to set the tone and go up in their face and show that we just don't sit back and wait for things to happen against one of the best teams in the league," he added.
The veteran also offered a glimpse of what supporters can expect going forward: "That's how you want to play, and you guys will see it probably for the rest of the year — high press and not backing down."
Head coach Marco Donadel echoed Piette's sentiment, seeing the defeat as a game of two distinct halves: "The match today was two matches. It was clear that we played a specific game before the red card, and another match after the red card." (translated from French)
"I am proud of how we came to play, and starting with a cold shower like this one, it may be good for us," the Italian said.
While it's far too early to draw firm conclusions — especially against a side as strong as San Diego and playing an entire half with 10 men — the signs are not encouraging for Montréal.
The team will look to turn the page when they travel to Chicago to face the Fire on Saturday, February 28, with kickoff set for 2:30 pm ET / 11:30 am PT.
