El Paso Locomotive FC just made one of the boldest kit announcements in USL Championship history, and they brought some serious star power along for the reveal. The club unveiled their new Papel Picado-inspired kit, a design rooted deeply in the cultural fabric of the El Paso and Juárez border community — and a recognizable face from the world of fictional soccer helped debut it in style.
A star from the beloved Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso was tapped to model the new strip, a move that instantly elevated the kit reveal from a local sports story to a moment with national — and arguably international — reach. While the specific actor has not been officially confirmed beyond the initial report from the El Paso Times, the collaboration speaks volumes about how creatively ambitious Locomotive FC has become when it comes to brand storytelling.
Papel Picado, the traditional Mexican folk art of decorative cut paper, is a deeply meaningful symbol across the border region. Seeing that artform translated onto a soccer jersey is the kind of cultural celebration that fans in El Paso have come to expect from their club. Locomotive FC has consistently used their kits as a canvas to honor the unique identity of their city, and this latest release appears to be no different.
For US soccer fans, this moment matters beyond just the aesthetic. It reflects a growing trend across USL and MLS where clubs are leaning into hyper-local identity to connect with their communities in meaningful ways. Kits are no longer just uniforms — they're statements. They tell you who a club is, where they come from, and what they stand for.
The Ted Lasso connection also taps into something special. The show, which follows an optimistic American coach navigating English soccer, has been widely credited with bringing a wave of new fans to the sport across the United States. Having a cast member associated with a real-world kit launch is a clever bridge between pop culture and the beautiful game.
- El Paso Locomotive FC compete in the USL Championship, one of the top second-division soccer leagues in the United States.
- The club plays at Southwest University Park and has built a passionate fanbase in the El Paso/Juárez border region.
- Locomotive have become known for community-forward branding and culturally resonant kit designs.
Details on where fans can purchase the new Papel Picado kit are expected to follow the official launch announcement. If this reveal is any indication, expect it to sell out fast. El Paso Locomotive continue to prove that soccer in the Sun City isn't just growing — it's thriving.