A Dream Realized on the Pitch
Cristo Fernández, best known for his breakout role as Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ series 'Ted Lasso,' stepped onto a professional soccer field for the first time in his career this week.
The milestone occurred during a USL Championship match against New Mexico United at Southwest University Park in El Paso, Texas, where his side fell to a 2‑0 defeat.
Fernández had spent two months on trial with El Paso Locomotive FC, training regularly and appearing in a preseason fixture before earning a contract.
He entered the game in the 79th minute, received a yellow card in the 87th, and later expressed his love for the city and the team, calling the opportunity a dream come true.
The actor‑turned‑midfielder’s journey back to the sport began after injuries derailed his early soccer ambitions, leading him to study at the Guildford School of Acting and build a successful career in television and film.
He has previously played for Mexican club Guadalajara Estudiantes Tecos and Puerto Rico’s Guayama FC, and he often shares his return to the pitch on social media.