Two months after signing for El Paso Locomotive, Cristo Fernández — best known for playing fictional soccer star Dani Rojas in the television series “Ted Lasso” — has made his professional debut in the USL.
Fernández, a forward like Rojas, was subbed on in the 79th minute of El Paso’s USL Cup match against New Mexico United on Saturday night. Wearing the No. 91, the actor-cum-player picked up a yellow card in his runout during a 2-0 defeat for Locomotive.
While Fernández’s claim to acting fame might be playing an enthusiastic goal scorer in the “Ted Lasso” universe, his own background as a player is solid as well. He was a talented player growing up, with his résumé as a prospect including time in the youth ranks of former Liga MX side Tecos.
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Injuries through his early 20s, however, derailed his pro dreams, with his eventual pivot away from the sport leading him to find his passion for acting. But now, after a successful stint in his new field, he’s found himself back on the pitch.
It wasn’t a simple road back into the sport for Fernández. His sporting dreams never went away, and he began testing himself physically last year with a performance coach, physical therapist and a soccer clinic back in his native Mexico. A trial with MLS‘ Chicago Fire‘s reserve side came early in 2026, which then turned into another trial with El Paso. That trial turned into a contract.
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“Football has given me both the best moments, the sad moments,” he told ESPN in May. “I guess that’s why, for me, football is life.”
Now with a USL debut complete, Fernández’s dream is on to the next chapter.
