German star Timo Werner could make MLS debut as Quakes host Atlanta

The San Jose Earthquakes will seek a repeat performance of their rousing opening night success -- and potentially debut their big offseason signing -- as they welcome Atlanta United to town on Saturday.

The Earthquakes (1-0-0, 3 points) received two goals from defender Daniel Munie in a 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Feb. 21. San Jose held Kansas City to just one shot on target.

The big draw for Saturday's match, though, will be Timo Werner. The former German national team star and 2021 UEFA Champions League winner as a member of Chelsea FC arrived in the United States on Wednesday evening, nearly a month after signing a contract with the Quakes through June 2028.

"I think he's going to help us, and we're here to help him too," Munie said of his new teammate on Thursday. "We want him to be comfortable and confident, and I know he's going to have confidence in himself."

Meanwhile, Atlanta United (0-1-0) fell 2-0 in their opener at FC Cincinnati, spoiling the return of head coach Tata Martino. The club's inaugural head coach from 2017-18 and an MLS Cup winner in his second year, Martino was brought back in the offseason after the firing of Ronny Deila.

For a team that finished with the second-worst record in MLS in 2025, there may be some growing pains in the early portions of the new season, Martino noted.

"We understand that being a team that's still early in the season and still constructing what we want to do ... we're going to have to have some learning experiences," Martino said through an interpreter on Thursday. "What we have to do is analyze what happened, but move on and turn the page quickly."

San Jose has lost to Atlanta in four previous tries. The last meeting between the two teams resulted in a 2-1 Atlanta win during Matchday 1 of the 2023 season.

Midfielder Tomas Jacob, defender Elias Baez and goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos all started in their debuts for Atlanta after signing in the offseason. Cooper Sanchez also started, becoming the club's youngest player to start a season opener (17 years, 332 days).

--Field Level Media