Final Whistle: San Jose 2, Atlanta United 0 - A Frustrating Night In San Jose

Atlanta United Wraps Up Their Two-Match Road Trip In San Jose (photo by Jason Longshore)

For Match Day, Atlanta United was looking for progression...

Progression in maintaining what is taught during the week as to what head coach Tata Martino is wanting his team to reflect personality-based, progression in maintaining the momentum and the pressure displayed in the first quarter of the match against FC Cincinnati last week over a longer period of time in a different match, and progression in the new (regardless of age) players brought in late last season or in the off-season leading into 2026.

The starting XI was the same for Atlanta United week-to-week (Hoyos, Hernandez, Baez, Mihaj, Berrocal, Alzate, Latte Lath, Almiron, Saba, Sanchez, and Jacob) while San Jose only had one change from the win over Sporting KC last week (Harkes in and Vieira on the bench).

The first fifteen minutes had San Jose dictating play with Atlanta United having difficulty connecting passes, yet the Earthquakes had four shots toward net that didn't yield anything (4 shots, 2 on target).

Tomas Jacob combined with Latte Lath as Atlanta charged into the 18 (in the 18th), but the shot was blocked by Daniel Munie. A second chance that was set toward net by Steven Alzate a few minutes later ends up over the net by goal kick.

Atlanta United continued to grow into the match and Jacob continued to be the catalyst creating an opportunity for Saba as the chance ended up over the bar.

San Jose got on the board first in the 24th minute as a distribution error by Lucas Hoyos created a transition chance for Jamar Ricketts. Ricketts sent the ball inside the 18, the ball deflecting off an Atlanta United player to Preston Judd. Judd sent a header to the far post beyond the reach of Hoyos for the 1-0 advantage- his second of the year.

Atlanta United registered their third shot of the match as Latte Lath sent a shot from distance over the bar. In the build up, referee Ricardo Fierro called advantage but didn't issue a card to Reid Roberts on a late challenge at the beginning of the play 35 yards from goal.

The best stretch for Atlanta United came in the 38th minute. Sustained possession didn't result in any shot on target but it did show to the Five Stripes that they could have the Earthquakes chase when in possession.

The margin stayed one after 45 with the shots 8-3 to the home team. The only four shots on target belonged to the Quakes.

Atlanta United started the second half with the energy that wasn't present for most of the first 45- pressuring a few times attempting to build on that start.

Neither team had a shot in the first quarter of the second half, but both teams were looking to the bench for boosts with 30 minutes to go- Timo Werner and Alexei Miranchuk. Miranchuk was joined by Tristan Muyumba replacing Ronald Hernandez and Saba.

With a little more than 20 minutes left, Miranchuk sent a scoop pass to Almiron who tried a cross from short range but Daniel was there to head the ball off inside the six.

Pedro Amador entered the match for Cooper Sanchez to left as a part of the central midfield to help the attack. In the 72nd minute, Amador sends a ball into the six for a close chance for the Five Stripes but the ball went wide of the net and Daniel.

The threat continued with 15 to go with Tomas Jacob, Berrocal, and Amador starting to figure San Jose out for a few possessions.

San Jose, however, picks up a second goal in the 79th minute. Timo Werner got a step on Enea Mihaj- looking for Ousenni Bouda as the Quakes were in transition- sending in a cross that Bouda put into the net from inside the six.

Crossing into stoppage time, Atlanta United had a set piece opportunity late on a foul by DeJuan Jones from the top of the arc. But the Juan Berrocal opportunity went wide of the target.

The improvement anticipated from the match on the road at Cincinnati didn't materialize- while the total shots were 11-8 in favor of San Jose, shots on target were 5-1 to the Quakes and xG was 2.40-.83 over the full 90.

There's a lot to look at for the Five Stripes heading into the home opener in a week's time as Real Salt Lake will visit MBS. With a run of home matches coming, Atlanta United still needs to improve in the build-up when the ball isn't won in the attacking half.