‘Ted Lasso’ actor makes professional soccer debut

Mexican actor Cristo Fernandez attends a CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match between Mexico and Panama on March 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent, File)

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.”

--Field Level Media