San Diego FC welcome CF Montréal to Snapdragon Stadium for their 2026 MLS opener, a clash marked by two teams at very different stages of their evolution.
Fresh off a first-place finish in the Western Conference and a prolific, record-breaking 2025 expansion campaign, San Diego will be eager to set the tone against a Montréal side still searching for consistent form after finishing near the bottom of the East last season. With both teams unveiling new faces and ambitions, this matchup offers a compelling litmus test for their 2026 aspirations.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on last season’s decisive trends—San Diego FC’s attacking dominance and Montréal’s defensive frailties—our top betting recommendations center on a home win and a high-scoring affair. We’re particularly confident in San Diego taking all three points, given their 74-goal haul in 2025 and Montréal’s struggle to keep clean sheets (just four in 34 games). While the latest odds from Bet365 are currently unavailable, expect San Diego to be heavy favorites in the Moneyline market.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why Were Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego FC to Win | Check Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | San Diego scored more than double Montréal last season and kept 13 clean sheets. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Check Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both teams combined for 108 goals last season; Montréal conceded 60 in 34. |
| Anders Dreyer to Score or Assist | Check Bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Dreyer led the league with 23 goals and 17 assists in 2025. |
Our approach: Start with San Diego FC to win, add Over 2.5 Goals for parlay potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Season Form & Standings
San Diego FC dominated the 2025 MLS Regular Season in the Western Conference, finishing first with a +23 goal difference and the league’s most prolific attack. They secured 19 wins across 34 matches and carried their momentum into the postseason. Montréal, meanwhile, endured a difficult Eastern Conference campaign, ending thirteenth with just six wins and the league’s third-worst defensive record. San Diego’s regular-season credentials set them apart as clear favorites entering this new campaign, not to mention their run to the Western Conference final.
2025 MLS Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF Montre9al | 13 | 34 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 28 |
2025 MLS Western Conference Standings
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego FC | 1 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 64 | 41 | +23 | 63 |
Potential Match-Winners
Anders Laustrup Dreyer (San Diego FC): Led the league in 2025 with 23 goals and 17 assists, averaging nearly a goal every 1.7 matches and 0.74 assists per game; also delivered 95 key passes and 110 corners.
Prince Osei Owusu (CF Montréal): Montréal’s top scorer in 2025 with 13 goals, averaging 2.4 shots per match and 44% shot accuracy, but struggled for creative support.
Head-to-Head: Last Meetings
There are no previous competitive meetings between San Diego FC and CF Montréal on record, making this a fresh matchup for both clubs.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| No previous meetings | – | – |
San Diego FC vs CF Montreal Prediction
Will San Diego’s attacking firepower again prove too much for a Montréal squad still struggling to find defensive consistency? All signs point to the 2025 Western Conference leaders picking up where they left off, especially with Anders Dreyer in form. For bettors, the strongest value lies in a home win at Bet365, with Dreyer as a Player to Score or Assist candidate. Expect goals, action, and a statement start from San Diego FC.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
More MLS stats and standings: MLS standings 2026 | Top scorers | Assist leaders | Full MLS stats hub