Cristo Fernandez, a 35-year-old actor and Mexican native, achieved a long-held ambition by making his professional soccer debut for El Paso Locomotive, a second-tier American club based in Texas. The appearance came on Sunday during the team’s third and final USL Cup group match against New Mexico United, when Fernandez entered the game as a substitute in the 79th minute.
Fernandez is best known for his role as Dani Rojas in the acclaimed Apple TV series Ted Lasso, which aired between 2020 and 2023. The show centers on an American football coach hired to manage a fictional English Premier League club. He joined Locomotive in May following a two-month trial period with the organization.
During his debut appearance, the team faced defeat, losing 2-0 to New Mexico United. Fernandez received a yellow card in the 87th minute for committing a foul against the opposing goalkeeper. Before pursuing acting, Fernandez had played youth soccer in his hometown of Guadalajara but stepped away from the sport at age 15 due to a knee injury.
Following his signing with Locomotive, Fernandez reflected on his career trajectory, stating that his return to professional soccer demonstrated the importance of self-belief, risk-taking, and persistence in pursuing aspirations through unconventional routes. A new season of Ted Lasso is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV on 5 August.