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Sports'Ted Lasso' actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional soccer debut in USL
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Cristo Fernandez, known for playing Danny Rojas on the TV series 'Ted Lasso,' made his professional soccer debut on July 11, 2026, for El Paso Locomotive in a USL Cup match against New Mexico United. The 35-year-old actor subbed into the game in the 79th minute and received a yellow card during a 2-0 defeat. Fernandez was an accomplished youth player with Tecos FC in Liga MX before injuries ended his playing career and led him to acting. He tried out for the Chicago Fire's reserve squad earlier in 2026, which led to a tryout with El Paso and a contract. His 'Ted Lasso' character's catchphrase 'Football is life!' was echoed in a May interview where he reflected on football's emotional significance in his life.
Source report
Cristo Fernandez, an actor best known for playing a professional soccer player on Ted Lasso, officially took his first stab at the real thing this weekend.
Fernandez, who appeared as recurring character Danny Rojas on the hit streaming series, made his USL debut for El Paso in its USL Cup match against New Mexico United on Saturday night. He subbed into the game in the 79th minute for Locomotive, picking up a yellow card during a 2-0 defeat.
The 35-year-old was an accomplished youth player, competing with Tecos FC in Liga MX, before injuries derailed his career and led him to acting.
He first tried out for the Chicago Fire's reserve squad earlier this year, which led to another tryout with El Paso and an eventual contract.
"Football is life!" was the catchphrase of his Ted Lasso character, and he revisited his most famous words in an ESPN interview in May.
"Football has given me both the best moments, the sad moments," he said. "I guess that's why, for me, football is life."
This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.
Source
Yardbarker: SoccerWestern
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Ted Lasso Actor Cristo Fernandez Makes Professional Soccer Debut at Age 35