Quakes Stun LAFC 4-1 to Tie for First in MLS West

Ousseni Bouda's two goals and Timo Werner's first MLS tally power San Jose's dominant road win.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:28am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a San Jose Earthquakes soccer match, with the players and ball broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in vibrant blue, black, and white colors.The San Jose Earthquakes' dominant 4-1 victory over LAFC showcases the team's dynamic, high-energy play that has propelled them to the top of the MLS Western Conference.San Jose Today

The San Jose Earthquakes stunned Los Angeles FC 4-1 on Sunday night, with Ousseni Bouda scoring two goals and Timo Werner netting his first MLS goal. The victory moves the Quakes into a first-place tie in the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield races, marking the first time in franchise history they've won seven of their first eight games to start a season.

Why it matters

The Earthquakes' hot start represents a dramatic turnaround from last season, when they finished ninth in the West with just 10 wins. The team's young core has matured, and new additions like Werner have made an immediate impact, positioning San Jose as an early contender in the MLS title race.

The details

Bouda's two second-half goals ended LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' scoreless run at 593 minutes. Werner, returning from injury, recorded an assist and scored his first MLS goal, while Beau Leroux also had two assists. San Jose's defense held firm, with goalkeeper Daniel recording three saves.

  • The Earthquakes won their fourth straight road game to start the 2026 season.
  • San Jose (7-1-0) is now tied for first place in the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield standings.

The players

Ousseni Bouda

A midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes who scored two goals in the team's 4-1 win over LAFC.

Timo Werner

A 30-year-old forward for the San Jose Earthquakes who scored his first MLS goal and recorded an assist in the win over LAFC.

Bruce Arena

The head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, who has led the team's dramatic turnaround in his second season.

Daniel

The goalkeeper for the San Jose Earthquakes, who recorded three saves in the 4-1 victory.

Beau Leroux

A midfielder for the San Jose Earthquakes who had two assists in the win over LAFC.

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What they’re saying

“It's a really good group of players. A lot of the players that are playing now got beat up last year but got the experience they needed to be where they are today.”

— Bruce Arena, Head Coach, San Jose Earthquakes

“That's a confidence builder (for Werner) for sure. You could see Timo was gonna be a special player for us. He is a special player and he's gonna be a great addition to our team.”

— Bruce Arena, Head Coach, San Jose Earthquakes

“I'm very happy to score my first goal. That's always important for every player on the pitch but especially for strikers or offensive players. It helps to build your confidence.”

— Timo Werner

What’s next

The Earthquakes will look to continue their hot start when they host Austin FC on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Earthquakes' dominant victory over LAFC, one of the Western Conference's top teams, underscores the team's dramatic turnaround under Bruce Arena. San Jose's young core has matured, and new additions like Timo Werner have made an immediate impact, positioning the Quakes as an early MLS Cup contender.