San Jose Earthquakes v Austin FC: Arena hails ´special player´ Werner

Timo Werner is a “special player” who will prove to be a fantastic addition for the San Jose Earthquakes, so says Bruce Arena.

Werner scored his maiden MLS goal last weekend, as San Jose hammered Los Angeles FC 4-1.

The German charged forward from midfield on the counter, coolly getting the better of a defender before slotting home to put San Jose 2-0 up.

Werner has played five MLS games this season, providing three assists, and Arena is confident the forward will only improve from here on in.

Arena said: “You can see that Timo’s going to be a special player for us.

“It’s going to take a little time to get his fitness and his rhythm, but he’s a special player.

“He’s going to be a great addition to our team.”

Werner added: “I’m very happy to score my first goal. It’s always important for every player on the pitch, but especially for strikers, to score goals and make assists.

“It helps you build a lot of confidence, to build trust from the team. In general, it’s always good helping the team, and today I could do that with the goal as well.”

Timo Time in the 56th minute

Congratulations @timowerner on scoring your first @mls goal and your first goal of the 2026 season. More to come pic.twitter.com/PlKEDG8uOp

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) April 20, 2026

The Earthquakes, who missed out on the playoffs last year, have made a fantastic start to the season and sit joint-top of the Western Conference on 21 points.

Next up is a home game against Austin FC, who sit 13th in the West and are without a win in seven games.

“A lot of the players who are playing now got beat up last year to get the experience they needed to be where they are today,” Arena said.

“It was a real learning tool last year for a number of our guys; we suffered a bit, but it’s paid off this year because they were much more prepared to play.

“It’s a good group of players to work with. They’re a really good group.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Niko Tsakiris

Tsakiris has been involved in five goals (two goals, three assists) in his last three regular-season appearances, providing an assist in the win over LAFC on Sunday.

He had only six total goal contributions (one goal, five assists) in his first 66 MLS games before this current run.

Austin FC – Facundo Torres

Torres has contributed to a goal in each of his last three regular-season away appearances, including scoring against Toronto FC on Saturday, the longest streak of his career.

Three Austin players have had longer runs of road games with a goal contribution, most recently Owen Wolff in 2025 (four straight).

MATCH PREDICTION: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES WIN

San Jose’s 21 points through eight matches equals the fourth-best start in MLS history, with only LA Galaxy (24 in 1996, 22 in 1998 and 2010) having more points at this stage of a season.

This is just the second time in club history the Earthquakes have taken 21 points in any eight-match span within a season (2005).

San Jose ended an eight-match winless run against Austin with a 2-1 home win last October (D6 L2).

The ‘Quakes have never lost in six all-time home matches against Austin in all competitions, though the Verde did eliminate San Jose on penalties in the 2025 US Open Cup.

Austin are winless in eight straight away matches in all competitions (D2 L6), including a 2-1 loss at San Jose last October.

They allowed multiple goals in all eight of those matches, last holding an opponent under two goals in its last road win, a 2-1 US Open Cup victory at Minnesota United in September.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 52.2%

Draw – 24.4%

Austin – 23.4%