Cristo Fernandez, the actor best known for his turn as Danny Rojas in the hit series Ted Lasso, stepped onto a soccer field for the first time in a professional setting during a USL Cup encounter against New Mexico United.
A surprising crossover
The 35‑year‑old made his entrance in the 79th minute, only to be shown a yellow card as El Paso fell to a 2‑0 defeat. His brief cameo marked a notable moment in the match, drawing attention from both fans and commentators.
Fernandez’s soccer pedigree reaches back to his teenage years, when he trained with Tecos FC in Mexico’s Liga MX before a series of injuries forced him to abandon a playing career and pivot to acting.
Earlier this year he attended tryouts with the Chicago Fire’s reserve side, a stint that ultimately paved the way for a contract with El Paso, where he now hopes to blend his two passions.
The crossover has sparked conversation about the growing overlap between entertainment and sports, with supporters cheering the unconventional move and curious observers watching how it unfolds on the field.