In one of the most unique and feel-good stories in recent American soccer memory, Cristo Fernández — the Mexican actor best known for portraying the lovably enthusiastic Dani Rojas on Apple TV+'s hit series Ted Lasso — has signed a professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC of USL Championship.
The news, first reported by FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth, sent shockwaves through the soccer world and beyond. For fans of both the beautiful game and the beloved fictional AFC Richmond, it's the kind of crossover moment that feels almost too good to be real — and yet, here we are.
Fernández's character Dani Rojas was arguably one of the most joyful representations of a soccer player ever put on screen, famously declaring that "football is life" in nearly every episode. That infectious love for the sport apparently wasn't just acting. Fernández, who is originally from Mexico, has spoken publicly in the past about his genuine passion for soccer, and it appears El Paso Locomotive FC saw something worth believing in.
For El Paso Locomotive FC and the local soccer community in the Borderland, this signing is an enormous moment. The club has built a passionate and loyal fanbase since its founding in 2019, consistently competing at a high level in USL Championship. Bringing in a globally recognized name — even one whose path to professional soccer runs through Hollywood — puts the El Paso club on an international radar that few lower-division American clubs ever reach.
But beyond the headlines and the novelty, this story taps into something deeper for US soccer fans. Ted Lasso is widely credited with introducing millions of casual American viewers to the rhythms, culture, and emotion of professional soccer. The show didn't just entertain — it converted. Fernández was a key part of that magic, and his real-life connection to the sport now comes full circle in the most unexpected way.
Whether this signing is a short-term promotional partnership or a genuine athletic opportunity remains to be seen, but the conversation it sparks matters. It shines a spotlight on the USL Championship as a league willing to think creatively, and it reinforces El Paso Locomotive FC's identity as a club that embraces big moments.
- Cristo Fernández plays Dani Rojas on Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso
- He has signed a professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC
- El Paso Locomotive FC competes in USL Championship
- The signing puts the Borderland club in the global spotlight
Football is life — and apparently, for Cristo Fernández, it always has been.