Tim Howard bet against Timo Werner: Now the San Jose Earthquakes star is on the verge of proving him wrong

Tim Howard has a reason to keep a particularly close eye on Timo Werner’s numbers this season. If the San Jose Earthquakes forward reaches 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, Howard has promised to get a rather unusual tattoo on his backside.

What a great way to get the rest of us supporting the striker who has flattered to deceive so often.

Why did Howard make the Werner bet?

The banjo is Howard’s own doing. When Werner signed for San Jose, the former USMNT goalkeeper delivered a savage assessment of the German’s finishing: “Timo Werner couldn’t hit a cow’s ass with a banjo.” He was thinking of the one-on-one chances he had watched Werner miss during his spell at Tottenham.

Werner’s form prompted a rethink. On a later episode of Unfiltered Soccer, Howard acknowledged that the forward clearly could score and said he hoped Werner was enjoying the change of scene. But he put his skin on the line.

How close is Werner to Howard’s tattoo target?

A “Timo Tracker” posted by the podcast (see above) shows six goals and eight assists, leaving Werner four goals and two assists short of the promised tattoo.

The challenge is precise: Howard said the numbers must reach 10 and 10 in all competitions by season’s end. A combined 20 goal contributions would not do it if either column falls short.

What games does Werner have to come?

San Jose has eight regular-season games remaining, starting tonight, September 26. These are team fixtures; Werner’s availability for each game is not guaranteed.

DateOpponentVenueKickoff (ET)Sat, Sept. 26Portland TimbersHome10:30 p.m.Sat, Oct. 10Colorado RapidsAway9:30 p.m.Wed, Oct. 14Real Salt LakeAway9:30 p.m.Sat, Oct. 17Nashville SCHome10:30 p.m.Sat, Oct. 24FC DallasAway8:30 p.m.Wed, Oct. 28Colorado RapidsHome10:30 p.m.Sat, Oct. 31Real Salt LakeHomeTBCSat, Nov. 7Minnesota UnitedAway7 p.m.What tattoo did Howard promise?

Howard said he would choose the best listener-submitted drawing of a cow and someone swinging a banjo, then have it tattooed on his backside. His co-host’s suggestion of an autograph tattoo did not make the cut.

Here’s that episode where it all began:

Werner still has work to do, especially on the scoring side. But the joke has traveled a long way from Howard’s February verdict. The podcast now has a tracker, and its host may soon have to pick a drawing.

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