Werner shines in Quakes debut in 2-0 clean sleet over Atlanta United

SAN JOSE — German international striker Timo Werner made his much-anticipated debut with the San Jose Earthquakes on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Werner played over 30 minutes and recorded an assist as the Quakes defeated Atlanta United FC in 2-0 victory at PayPal Park. San Jose has started the 2026 season with its second consecutive clean sheet and earned the club’s first win over Atlanta, having played four prior matches dating back to 2017, the last being the season opener back in 2023 (ATL 2-1 SJ). Atlanta United has started the season 0-2 and has lost both matches by a 2-0 score.

The Quakes acquired Werner from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig back in late January. He’s recorded 153 goals and 86 assists in nearly 450 appearances across stints with German Bundesliga sides VFB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig, as well as English Premier League teams Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Werner has been capped 57 times by his country and lifted seven trophies for club and country, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea. Werner arrived in the Bay Area on Wednesday night after he and his wife welcomed their first baby back in their native Germany two weeks ago. He went through two days of physical performance tests before making his debut as a substitute for Preston Judd in the 61st minute.

“The start was a bit crazy," said Werner regarding this past week. "On Tuesday, I was in the embassy in Berlin. I wanted to go back to Leipzig, because I thought I’d get in a few days later, and they called me straight away to come back. I turned around, got it on the same day, flew to San Francisco on Wednesday, (spent) one and a half days in a plane, and had on Thursday my first training with the Earthquakes. It was a really exciting week, especially this game tonight, with the welcome from the fans, from the people in the club, and from the other people around the club. It was a special feeling, because I think, for the last few weeks or months, I got the love that I didn’t have in the past years, and all the people here, they gave me that, and it felt pretty good.”

San Jose (2-0-0) drew first blood in the 24th minute. Jamar Ricketts intercepted a free kick off of the foot of Atlanta United goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. Ricketts raced down the left wing before chipping the ball into the center of the box where an unmarked Judd headed the ball into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

Judd has scored in back-to-back games as head coach Bruce Arena has made Judd his starting striker to open up the 2026 season with the subtractions of Chicho Arango, Cristian Espinoza and Josef Martinez.

Atlanta (0-2-0) spent the majority of the opening 45 minutes inside its own zone defending San Jose’s offensive attack. The Quakes had the pitch tilted on United’s side as they had eight total shots to just three for Atlanta in the first half.

The Earthquakes thought they had doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Ricketts centered a ball into the middle of the box and Niko Tsakiris tapped home the ball into an open net. However, the sideline official ruled the play offsides and negated what would’ve been Tsakiris’ first goal of the season.

San Jose did eventually double its lead in the 79th minute. Werner ran down a long pass from Jack Skahan down the right wing. Werner then crossed the ball into the middle where a sliding Ousseni Bouda one-timed the ball with a right footed shot top shelf for his first goal of the season.

“At halftime, I went to Bouda because I knew he's quick as well. When I was looking to play through on the wing or somewhere else, I had him as my first option to pass the ball, and I said that he should go straight to goal. It doesn't matter what happens, he shouldn't stop, because they send the ball to the first post in the middle of the goal. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. But this time, it worked out pretty well, so it was exactly like how I imagined it to be. After the game and after the goal, he came to me and said, ‘Yes! That's my style of football!’ I think I have to get to know the other players and how they want to play football, and they have to get to know how I play football. I think if we can align on one point, then it looks like the goal (we scored)," Werner said.

It was the type of play on why Arena wanted Werner in a Quakes kit as his speed and playmaking ability will make Werner a catalyst of San Jose’s offensive attack.

"He's a good attacking player," said Arena on the type of player he believes Werner is. "He has great experience. He has a history of scoring goals and creating chances. We expect that happen. But it's going to take some time. We need to be patient. But I think by midyear he's going to be in really good form."

The Earthquakes for the most part are a young team that's inexperienced as far as knowing how to win. Werner is turning 30 years old in six days and as one of the most experienced players on the team, he believes he needs to become a leader on the team and a mentor to the younger players like Beau Leroux and Tsakiris.

“I think I have to," said Werner when asked if he expects to be a leader as the season progresses. "That’s what they expect from me, not only because I played that many games in the highest level in Europe, but also with my age. I turn 30 in a few days, so with experience like that, you have to be a leader, and you have to going forward. We talk about Beau (Leroux and Niko (Tsakiris); they're young players. We have other young players who are responsible, and I think they should not feel responsible. They should enjoy football. When I was 22, I played in Leipzig. I had my best years until I was 26 and 27. I had my best years in terms of enjoying football because I had no pressure. That's what they should do. I think they should play without pressure. They shouldn't be a leader. They should only enjoy themselves, and that's what I'm here for: to be a leader and help these guys. I think now, after three days, it would be all over the place. If I come here and tell people what they should do, that would be crazy. I think that has to settle in the next few weeks and get to know people better and how you can talk to them. Some of them, you have to be a bit careful. Some of them, they need it a bit more direct, and that's how you get to know people. I want to be a leader, but not like screaming at someone, more like helping them.”

Quakes goalkeeper Daniel (2-0) recorded his second straight clean sheet, and 11th of his career, having to make only one save during the match. He wasn’t tested much in the second half but came up with his lone save in the 89th minute, a sliding save on a shot attempt from Miguel Almirón. It was Atlanta’s best scoring chance of the match.

Hoyos (0-2) made four saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. Atlanta United had four.

San Jose celebrated Grateful Dead Night, where the team debuted The Dead Kit—a psychedelic homage to the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s very first performance under that name, which took place at an acid test party in downtown San Jose where the City Hall Rotunda now stands.

Arena won his 275th regular-season MLS game to extend his league record among head coaches. The late great Sigi Schmid is second with 240.

San Jose travels out to Philadelphia for its first road match of the season against the Union on Saturday March 7th at 4:30pm at Subaru Park.