Landed on Wednesday, won on Saturday: Timo Werner got his US adventure off to an almost perfect start. On his debut for the San José Earthquakes, the former international provided the assist for the 2-0 win over Atlanta United. "It was a good start. I think the best thing would have been a goal, but you can't have everything," said Werner. "I think I helped the team in a phase where it was difficult."
The 29-year-old was substituted in the 61st minute for goalscorer Preston Judd. In the 79th minute, Werner was sent up the right flank, used his speed and brought the ball flat and sharp into the center. Werner had moved from Leipzig to San José during the Bundesliga winter break, but did not have a visa until recently.
A day and a half on the plane
The striker's absence from the starting XI against Atlanta was partly due to the stress of the journey. On Tuesday, he went to the US consulate in Berlin for his visa. To his surprise, he received his residence permit on the spot and boarded the plane the next day. "I spent a day and a half on the plane and had my first training session with the Earthquakes on Thursday," Werner reported.
Now he wants to focus on getting fit quickly. In Leipzig it was difficult "to stay in shape, to train alone all the time." However, the prospect of the new time in the USA motivated him. "Of course I wasn't at the level I should be at," said Werner. "But it was enough to make an impact and help the team."
He is expected to do the latter as a leader on and off the pitch. "That's what's expected of me," said Werner. "I'll be 30 in a few days and with experience you have to be a leader and lead the way."
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