ByREUTERS

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.

Cristo Fernández poses with a USMNT vs Portugal scarf with friends prior to a game between United States and Portugal during an International Friendly at at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Cristo Fernández poses with a USMNT vs Portugal scarf with friends prior to a game between United States and Portugal during an International Friendly at at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (credit: Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)

He first tried out for the Chicago Fire's reserve squad earlier this year, which led to another tryout with El Paso and, eventually, a contract.

'Football is life!'

"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."