Cristo Fernández – the actor best known for his role as Dani Rojas on the popular comedy ‘Ted Lasso’ – has made his American pro soccer debut.
Fernández, the 35-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, signed a professional contract back in May with El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championship in the second division of the US football pyramid.
On Saturday evening, Fernández made his debut with the side against rivals New Mexico United in the fourth and final group stage match of the Prinx Tires USL Cup.
He made an appearance as a substitute in the 79th minute, coming on for Guatemalan forward Rubio Rubín while the game was still 0-0.
Unfortunately for Fernández, the impact of his substitution to striker – the same position as his character on the show – didn’t go to plan.
Less than six minutes after he was brought into the game, New Mexico forward Joseph Quiah broke the deadlock to go up 1-0.
Actor Cristo Fernández, best known for playing Dani Rojas in ‘Ted Lasso’, made his US pro soccer debut on Saturday evening in the final round of the USL Cup group stages
Fernández came on in the 79th minute against rivals New Mexico United, but fell 2-0
Fernández previously pursued a football career before injuries tuned him to the acting world
Fernández would then go on to receive a yellow card only two minutes later.
A crossed attempt into the box was easily handled by New Mexico keeper Kristopher Shakes before Fernández clattered into him, forcing referee Jeremy Scheer to reach for his pocket.
Two minutes after that, New Mexico would score their second and final goal of the night. The result ended what little chances El Paso had of progressing out of Group 2 going into the evening.
It was a watershed moment for Fernández, who trained with Mexican side Tecos and played professionally with Puerto Rican side Guayama – both as a teenager.
However, a knee injury brought his hopes of playing professionally to an early end and he pursued acting after encouragement from his parents.
His breakthrough role came as Rojas in the popular AppleTV series which is set to debut a fourth season in August.
