Introduction
San Jose Earthquakes welcome Atlanta United to PayPal Park for a Sunday evening clash that could set the tone for both sides’ 2026 MLS campaigns. Kickoff is set for Saturday, February 28, at 7:30 PM ET. San Jose enter with their tails up after a comprehensive opening win, while Atlanta look to bounce back from a disappointing start. This matchup is especially intriguing given Atlanta’s historic head-to-head dominance, but with the Earthquakes showing early-season bite and defensive solidity, a reversal of fortunes could be on the cards.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on San Jose’s impressive all-around display in their opener and Atlanta’s continued head-to-head edge, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in San Jose Earthquakes on the Moneyline, given their sharp attack and defensive resilience last time out.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Sportsbook | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Earthquakes to Win | -110 @ Bet365 (52.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Backing because San Jose looked dominant in attack and defense opening week; Atlanta failed to score. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | +120 @ Bet365 (45.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Value here due to San Jose’s clean sheet and Atlanta’s lack of attacking output. |
| Daniel Munie Anytime Goalscorer | +550 @ Bet365 (15.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Backing because Munie scored twice from defense in San Jose’s opener and is a clear set-piece threat. |
| San Jose Over 6.5 Corners | -105 @ Bet365 (51.2%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | San Jose forced 15 corners in their opener; Atlanta allowed space out wide. |
Our approach: Start with the San Jose Moneyline, then consider Munie as an anytime scorer for value and add the corners line for parlay potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Season Form & Standings
The 2026 MLS Regular Season is underway and both teams have played just once so far. San Jose Earthquakes got off to a flying start, sitting third in the table after a comprehensive win, while Atlanta United find themselves in twelfth after conceding twice on opening weekend. With so much of the campaign ahead, early points can set the tone for playoff ambitions.
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Earthquakes | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| Atlanta United | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes): The defender scored twice last match (one header, one left foot), converted two clear-cut chances, and recorded an 88.1% pass accuracy in 2026. Also contributed to a clean sheet and 18 aerial duels won.
- Preston Judd (San Jose Earthquakes): Bagged a goal with 100% shot accuracy and made four touches inside the opposition box in the opener.
- Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United): Attempted two shots and won seven of nine ground duels in ATL’s season opener, but needs to show more creativity to inspire his teammates.
All stats refer to the 2026 MLS regular season.
Head-to-Head: Last 4 Meetings
Atlanta United have had the upper hand in this matchup historically, winning all four previous meetings and outscoring San Jose Earthquakes thirteen to seven in the process.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2023 | Atlanta United 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes | MLS |
| Sep 21, 2019 | Atlanta United 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes | MLS |
| Sep 20, 2018 | San Jose Earthquakes 3-4 Atlanta United | MLS |
| Jul 5, 2017 | Atlanta United 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes | MLS |
San Jose Earthquakes vs Atlanta United Prediction
San Jose Earthquakes look ready to flip the script after years of Atlanta dominance, with their defensive solidity and attacking set-piece power standing out in Week 1. Expect Atlanta to offer more resistance, but the hosts’ momentum and Daniel Munie’s threat at both ends make the Moneyline a strong play at -110 with Bet365 (52.4%).
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