(Photo credit: Chadd Cady-Imagn Images)

For San Diego FC, no Hirving Lozano is no problem at all.

The club, which set MLS expansion-club records for wins (19) and points (63) last year, had the most explosive 2026 season debut across the league, trampling Montreal 5-0 to carry some serious momentum into Sunday's game against visiting St. Louis City SC.

Christopher McVey and Amahl Pellegrino tallied in the first half, and Onni Valakari, Marcus Ingvartsen and 18-year-old Right to Dream Academy graduate Bryan Zamble all scored after the break as San Diego left their Canadian opponent in the dust.

Danish national Anders Dreyer, last year's MLS Newcomer of the Year, had two assists to open his 2026 league account.

'Overall, just really happy for the group,' coach Mikey Varas said. 'At the same time, this is just one step in a long journey that we are going to have this year.'

Pellegrino added two assists for San Diego, which has already advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. The club advanced over Pumas, thanks primarily to a 4-1 victory at Snapdragon Stadium in the first leg.

San Diego dominated possession (64.1%), doubled up Montreal in shots (12-6) and quadrupled its opponent in shots on goal (8-2).

'We stayed committed to the plan in terms of how we could create space and then attack it,' Varas said.

The hot start has come without the aid of Lozano, the Mexican national and San Diego designated player, who had nine goals and 10 assists last season but is no longer expected to factor into the team's future plans.

The club advanced to the Western Conference final in its debut campaign and still has that new-car smell.

St. Louis had that a few seasons ago after its own successful MLS debut. That hasn't been the case in the past two seasons as the club has missed the postseason.

New coach Yoann Damet oversaw a dynamic home debut last week against Charlotte. St. Louis controlled possession and had an outsized advantage in shots, shots on goal and corner kicks, but settled for a 1-1 draw.

Marcel Hartel put St. Louis in front in the 60th minute, taking a feed from Simon Becher and beating Charlotte's Kristijan Kahlina into the bottom-right corner.

'I think we need to celebrate those little moments,' Damet said. 'Cello (Hartel) being the first on the scoreboard this season is a good sign. I love to see that. I'm happy for him.'

Pep Biel equalized for Charlotte 13 minutes later, leaving St. Louis hopeful but still unsatisfied.

'Offensively, I thought the buildup was good. I thought we were able to create some chances,' Damet said. 'Could we have created more? Did we get into good areas? Those are the questions we need to answer. Again, it never stops. There is always stuff to work on.'

--Field Level Media