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SportsTed Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional debut for El Paso Locomotive
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Cristo Fernandez, the 35-year-old Mexican actor who played Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, made his professional football debut on Sunday for USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive. He came on as a 79th-minute substitute in a 2-0 loss to New Mexico United and received a yellow card in the 87th minute for a foul. Fernandez, who played youth football in Guadalajara before quitting at age 15 due to a knee injury, signed with the Texas-based club in May after a two-month trial. He had three touches during his brief debut. The fourth series of Ted Lasso is set to premiere on Apple TV on August 5.
Source report
"Football is life" for Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez.
The 35-year-old Mexican fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional footballer on Sunday, making his debut for American second-tier side El Paso Locomotive.
Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV show between 2020 and 2023, came on as a 79th-minute substitute in Locomotive's third and final USL Cup group game against rivals New Mexico United.
He signed for Locomotive, who are based in El Paso, Texas, in May after a two-month trial.
Locomotive were beaten 2-0 by New Mexico United. Forward Fernandez was shown a yellow card on 87 minutes for a foul on the away side's goalkeeper Kris Shakes.
Fernandez played youth football in his home city of Guadalajara but stepped away from the game at the age of 15 because of a knee injury.
Having moved to London, he was cast in the award-winning Ted Lasso, the story of an American football coach hired to manage the fictional Premier League team AFC Richmond.
After signing for Locomotive, Fernandez said: "This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be."
A fourth series of Ted Lasso will begin on Apple TV on 5 August.
Related Topics
- Football
- Cristo Fernandez signs for El Paso Locomotive after trial
Source
BBC SportWestern
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Ted Lasso Actor Cristo Fernandez Makes Professional Soccer Debut at Age 35