Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez has swapped London for the Lone Star State and made his professional soccer debut with El Paso Locomotive FC.
The actor, who plays fictional forward Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ show, signed for the Texas-based USL Championship club in May.
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Fernandez, 35, was born in Guadalajara, and grew up playing soccer in Mexico and Puerto Rico, but injuries during his 20s derailed his dreams and led to a switch to acting.
After he appeared in several indie films, he landed his breakthrough role in Ted Lasso and appeared as the enthusiastic AFC Richmond forward Rojas across all three seasons of the show, from 2020 to 2023.
Dani’s motto of ‘football is life’ clearly rings true for Fernandez too.
Ted Lasso star makes professional soccer debut, picks up yellow and loses
He took to the field for Locomotive in Saturday night’s United Soccer League Cup match against New Mexico United.
Fernandez, wearing the No. 91 jersey, was subbed in for forward Rubio Rubin in the 79th minute of the game at Southwest University Park.
More than 5,000 fans were in attendance as Locomotive lost 2-0.
Fernandez picked up a yellow card in his debut, and has previously admitted that he’ll face pressure to perform given his on-screen exploits in Ted Lasso.
“I understand the pressure, but I guess there’s always been pressure, even in anything I’ve done in my life,” he told ESPN earlier this year.
“I think of myself as a hardworking man, and I have never been the best in anything, but I always give my best and work hard for it.”
As an actor, Fernandez has built a following of close to 500,000 followers on Instagram.
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But he never really gave up his dream of playing professional soccer.
Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernandez has impressive sporting background
As a teenager, Fernandez had a stint at former Liga MX side Tecos.
He suffered his first major knee injury at 19, and further setbacks followed in his early 20s.
After a season in Puerto Rico, Fernandez knew he was unlikely to make it as a soccer player.
He’s already forged a successful acting career, which has included appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Venom: The Last Dance, as well as Ted Lasso.
But soccer soon came calling back, and after a conversation with friend and former Mexico national team captain Andres Guardado, Fernandez began working with a performance coach, physical therapist and a soccer clinic in 2025.
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He first landed a trial with Chicago Fire FC II, the reserve side of the Chicago Fire of MLS, earlier this year.
That effort eventually led to his opportunity with second division side El Paso.
Fernandez signed in May, following a two-month trial.
“Football has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” he said at the time.
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“I’m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC — the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates — for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.”
Fernandez’s debut marks another stunning turn in an impressive career to date.
He might not take to the field for AFC Richmond with Rojas on his back again, but his No. 91 jersey could become a regular sight in Texas.
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