The last time Atlanta United was at PayPal Park was in 2018, when they somehow turned a 4-1 deficit into a 4-3 win in literally one of the most insane matches in MLS history.
The last time the two teams met was in 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where this happened:
In other words, prepare for just about anything on Saturday.
Here’s what you need to know about the Earthquakes, who very well may be debuting their prized offseason signing during Matchday 2.
Get ready for Atlanta United at San Jose Earthquakes
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The scoop on the San Jose Earthquakes
Last result: W 3-0 vs. Sporting Kansas City
Let’s start with who’s no longer with the team.
- Our old friend Josef Martinez, despite a very respectable 14g/2a season in 2025, didn’t have his option picked up and ended up at Xolos.
- Chicho Arango, who posted 13g/7a, was loaned out to Nacional.
- And Cristian Espinoza, who spent seven seasons with the club and put up 4g/12a, mistakenly didn’t have his option picked up (!) and ended up at Nashville SC.
All told, that’s 31 goals and 21 assists out the door for the Quakes. They also parted ways with defensemen Rodrigues (Mirassol) and Bruno Wilson (free agent). As you do, I suppose, after giving up 63 goals — tied with Atlanta for third worst in MLS.
In comes Timo Werner, who was scoring for fun once upon a time (34g/13a in 45 matches in all comps for RB Leipzig in 2019-20). Since that 2019-20 campaign, though, he’s scored just 32 times in 175 total matches. Clearly, this isn’t the same player, but maybe some Northern California air and the watchful eye of Bruce Arena can spark things. (Just not against Atlanta.)
Quakes fans are really high on 20-year-old Niko Tsakiris, a U.S. youth international who was signed to a U22 contract before the season and who should get more playing time from Arena in 2026. Beau Leroux, another youngster who turned 22 in August and is a 2023 SuperDraft pick, put up 5g/4a a season ago.
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Atlanta United at San Jose Earthquakes injuries
Dom Chong Qui (MCL), Will Reilly (hamstring), and Jay Fortune (foot) remain out.
Atlanta United’s projected lineup against San Jose Earthquakes (4-3-3)
At least I think it will look this way on Saturday.
GK: Lucas Hoyos
D: Pedro Amador, Enea Mihaj, Juan Berrocal, Ronald Hernandéz
M: Steven Alzate, Alexey Miranchuk, Tomás Jacob
F: Miguel Almirón (C), Latte Lath, Saba Lobjanidze
Score prediction: San Jose Earthquakes 2-2 Atlanta United
Atlanta United has never lost to the San Jose Earthquakes (4-0-0). I don’t know if they’ll leave town 5-0-0, but I think they’ll be able to claim a road point ahead of March 7’s home opener against Real Salt Lake.
Would love to see Gregerson in place of Berrocal, but I would assume Tata will keep the backline same as last match other than putting in Amador (assuming he finally got his green card) for Baez. I also would not be surprised if Saba comes off the bench this week if Miranchuk ends up starting.
I did see Pedro in the team pic on the bus there in SJ
This starting lineup assumes Amador got his visa sorted and is back & training?
Any thoughts on whether we’ll see Fafa, Sergio or Adrian? Seems like some of that new blood is something we need to get a sense of sooner than later.
Imagine Fafa and Sergio could get a runout, but purely dependent on game state. Gill probably won’t get any significant time initially, since you have a decent amount of depth there once Jay and Will return.
Any news on the Galarza deal. From what I’ve read he is stateside and the deal is pretty much done…?