Cristo Fernández, also known as Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV series “Ted Lasso,” showcased his soccer skills in an unscripted role for a West Texas audience Saturday when he entered in the 79th minute for El Paso Locomotive FC in a USL Cup group-stage match against New Mexico United.Thankfully, he didn’t hit a dog on a penalty kick this game.But the 35-year-old did pick up a yellow card in his professional soccer debut.
Futbol is life! 🙌
Cristo Fernández makes his @eplocomotivefc debut in the #PrinxTiresUSLCup 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AYuur2ZA3M
— Prinx Tires USL Cup (@USL_Cup) July 12, 2026The match was scoreless at the time of the substitution, but New Mexico United spoiled Fernández’s first match, scoring twice in the closing stretch to win 2-0. He had three touches, and in the 87th minute, he got carded for colliding with New Mexico’s goalkeeper on a cross.Fernández signed with El Paso in May after an extensive two-month trial with the club, but his debut was delayed for weeks while his work visa was being processed. He was cleared to play ahead of Saturday’s match, the Derby Del Camino Real, one of the USL Championship’s most prominent rivalries.
Fernández began his professional soccer career at the youth level with Tecos FC in Jalisco, Mexico, before stepping away from the sport at 15 due to injury. He shifted his focus to other ventures, including acting. In 2020, he became one of the many breakout stars from “Ted Lasso,” where he portrayed Rojas, a wide-eyed professional soccer player whose tagline throughout the series became “Fútbol is life.”Fernández trained with several professional clubs around the country ahead of his trial with El Paso, including with Chicago Fire II, the reserve side of the MLS Chicago Fire.At the time of his signing, Fernández became the oldest player on El Paso’s roster and the fifth-oldest in the entire USL Championship.El Paso returns to league play following the conclusion of Prinx Tires USL Cup group play. The team will travels to Tulsa, Okla., to face FC Tulsa on July 18. El Paso currently sits seventh in the Western Conference, ahead of FC Tulsa for the last playoff spot in the 25-club league.Jul 12, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
