Cristo Fernández, Ted Lasso's Dani Rojas, signs pro contract with El Paso USL club

Share articleCristo Fernández, an actor best known for his portrayal of Dani Rojas in the hit Apple TV series, “Ted Lasso,” has signed a contract to play professional soccer in real life. The 35-year-old Mexican forward and actor signed with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship, the club announced Tuesday. The terms of the deal, including its length, were not disclosed. The deal is also pending league and federation approval, the club said. “Fútbol 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,” Fernández said in a club statement. “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.” The signing comes after Fernández underwent an “extensive” two-month trial with the Texas-based club. The trial included training and a even preseason debut against New Mexico United. A former player whose career was derailed by injuries, Fernández has been documenting his journey back to professional soccer on social media, training with various professional teams around the country, including with MLS-affiliated clubs in lower divisions. USL Championship plays in the second-division of professional men’s soccer in the United States. “It hasn’t been easy to go back to play professional,” Fernández said in March, when rumblings of his trials with different teams began. “I know it’s a work in progress getting back in the game, especially when it’s professional, for any high-performance level, but I know I can do it, and I believe in myself, and I know it’s the beginning of this journey. I’m ready for what’s next.” The actor’s signing brings an obvious boost in visibility for Locomotive FC and for USL Championship. But his arrival could also boost the club on the pitch, especially if Fernández is able to contribute meaningfully on the wing. “That’s another spot where El Paso just doesn’t have a lot of firepower right now,” USL analyst John Morrissey recently told The Athletic. “To me, that all reads in the direction of, if he does sign, if he has this first-team opportunity, he could be in line to play some real minutes for El Paso this season. There is the publicity aspect, but I think he would be expected to be a equal contributor in a lot of ways.” Fernández began his professional soccer career at the youth level with Tecos FC in Jalisco, Mexico, before stepping away from the sport at 15 years old 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.” “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,” Fernández said in his club statement. “Because as we say in Mexico: Hay que seguirle echando ganas. (We have to keep giving it our all.) … Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams… so being here with the “Locos” actually makes perfect sense. ¡Vamos Locos!” Locomotive FC, the same club where Real Salt Lake and U.S. World Cup hopeful Diego Luna got his start, currently sits in fourth place the USL Championship Western Conference standings — the same position where it ended last season — with four wins, three losses and two draws in its opening nine games. The team, which debuted in the league in 2019, resumes play May 27 against AV Alta FC. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms