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'Ted Lasso' star Cristo Fernandez joins USL team, will face Rising FC
TL;DR
Cristo Fernandez, known for his role as Dani Rojas in 'Ted Lasso', has signed with USL team El Paso Locomotive FC. He will soon face Rising FC in professional soccer.
Key points
- Cristo Fernandez joins El Paso Locomotive FC
- He is known for his role in 'Ted Lasso'
- Fernandez is 35 years old and from Guadalajara, Mexico
Mentioned in this story
Cristo FernandezApple TV+Guadalajara
El Paso Locomotive FCRising FC
'Ted Lasso' star Cristo Fernandez joins USL team, will face Rising FC
A star from one of the most popular television series in recent years is moving from the screen to the pitch for his next career move.
Cristo Fernandez, who played effervescent footballer Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ award-winning "Ted Lasso" series, about a fictional English soccer club and its American coaches, will be playing professional soccer.
The 35-year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico, has signed with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive FC, the club announced on Tuesday, May 12.
Fernandez, 35, is listed on the Locomotive roster as a midfielder. He had a two-month trial with the club and ultimately earned a contract, after earlier this year working out with Chicago Fire II, the MLS Next Pro reserve club for Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.
Fernandez isn't just a TV soccer player. He played the sport in Mexico until an injury forced him to quit at age 15, and would go on to pursue acting.
Decades later, he got a shot with El Paso, which plays in the same league and conference as Phoenix Rising FC. He played 30 minutes of a preseason match for the Locomotive. That turned into an extended tryout and a chance to play professionally.
"FĂștbol 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,â FernĂĄndez told the Locomotive website.
"This journey back to professional fĂștbol soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be," Fernandez added. "Maybe Iâm just a crazy man with crazy dreams⊠so being here with the "Locos" actually makes perfect sense."
Locomotive head coach Junior Gonzalez said Rojas can add to the locker room culture with the club, a role which he performed well as an actor and positive force in the fictional AFC Richmond locker room on "Ted Lasso."
Rojas, whose catchphrase on the show was "Football is life!" was in Arizona for the Club America vs. Chivas exhibition match at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025. He made a promotional appearance and has since been featured in other TV commercials.
He is set to return to the Phoenix area when Rising FC hosts El Paso on Sept. 19. Before that, he will face the Rising in El Paso on June 13.
Q&A
What team did Cristo Fernandez join in the USL?
Cristo Fernandez joined El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship.
When will Cristo Fernandez's team face Rising FC?
The specific date for the match against Rising FC has not been mentioned in the announcement.
What role did Cristo Fernandez play in 'Ted Lasso'?
Cristo Fernandez played the character Dani Rojas, an enthusiastic footballer, in the Apple TV+ series 'Ted Lasso'.