SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes return to PayPal Park on Saturday night to face Atlanta United FC. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT. The match will stream globally on Apple TV and on air locally on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
Fresh off a commanding 3-0 home victory against Sporting Kansas City—powered by a brace from Daniel Munie—the Quakes enter Matchday 2 with a belief in their rising squad discovering its identity early in the 2026 season. Was this the confidence-builder this team needed as Atlanta comes to the South Bay?
Questions lingered entering the season about how San Jose would generate goals after the departures of Chicho Arango, Josef Martínez and Cristian Espinoza. The response was swift. Preston Judd found the back of the net. Daniel Munie struck twice. The attack flowed by committee rather than star power.
Additionally, Munie’s brace underscores how dangerous the Quakes can be on set pieces — an area many also questioned after Cristian Espinoza’s departure. The early answer to “Who fills that void?” appears to be Niko Tsakiris, whose service and composure helped unlock opportunities in the final third.
Just as encouraging was the defensive statement. Keeping goals out of the net plagued San Jose throughout 2025, conceding 63 goals during the regular season. However, they opened 2026 with a clean sheet while holding SKC to just one shot on target. The defensive shape looked organized, disciplined, and far more cohesive—a sign that the lessons of last season may already be taking hold and that the new formation is a better fit for the squad.
History now sits within reach with Matchday 2. A win Saturday would mark the first time since 2017 that the Quakes have opened a season with back-to-back wins, the same year the club reached the MLS Cup Playoffs presented by Audi and advanced to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Atlanta arrives looking to rebound. The Five Stripes opened 2026 with a 2-0 road loss against FC Cincinnati, conceding both goals late. Despite the scoreline, the match marked a milestone for 17-year-old homegrown midfielder Cooper Sanchez, who became the youngest starter in club history for a season opener. Other established players like Emmanuel Latte Lath and longtime stalwart Miguel Almirón look to find rhythm on the attacking front.
Back in front of an electric home crowd, the Black and Blue aim to build faith from their fans early. Aside from another three-point match, the Quakes look to prove that something special is brewing in San Jose.