It wasn’t the start Atlanta United wanted on the road.
Atlanta United dropped a 2–0 decision to the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at PayPal Park, with the hosts striking once in each half to secure all three points. The loss drops Atlanta to 0-2-0 to begin the season.
San Jose opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Preston Judd found space in the box and powered home a header. After an Atlanta turnover, Jamar Ricketts delivered a cross from the left that met Judd perfectly at the center of goal, beating goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos to put the home side ahead.
The Earthquakes nearly doubled their lead just before the hour mark. A corner kick sequence fell to Beau Leroux inside the box, but Hoyos came up big with a key save to keep Atlanta within one.
Looking for a spark, Atlanta turned to its bench in the 60th minute. Alexey Miranchuk and Tristan Muyumba entered the match, replacing Saba Lobjanidze and Ronald Hernández. Ten minutes later, Pedro Amador made his season debut, coming on for Cooper Sanchez in midfield.
Amador nearly made an instant impact. In the 72nd minute, he whipped a cross into the box toward Emmanuel Latte Lath, but the striker couldn’t steer his attempt on frame.
As Atlanta pushed forward searching for an equalizer, San Jose struck on the counter. Substitute Timo Werner raced down the right flank and delivered a low cross to Ousseni Bouda at the back post, who finished in the 79th minute to make it 2–0.
To their credit, the Five Stripes didn’t fold.
Atlanta ramped up pressure late, nearly pulling one back in the 89th minute when Miguel Almirón ran onto a ball over the top and fired a left-footed shot that forced a sharp save from San Jose goalkeeper Daniel. Deep into stoppage time, Amador won a free kick just outside the box, but Juan Berrocal sent his effort wide of the right post.
Atlanta United (0-2-0, 0 points) now turns its attention to a much-anticipated home opener. The club returns home Saturday, March 7 to host Real Salt Lake, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
After a tough start away from home, Atlanta will be looking to reset — and feed off the energy of the home crowd — in front of the Five Stripes faithful.
