If Ted Lasso were a real soccer coach looking for a place to plant his boots and hang his "Believe" sign, there's a strong argument to be made that El Paso, Texas — and specifically El Paso Locomotive FC — would be exactly where he'd end up. And honestly? It makes a whole lot of sense.
For those who need a refresher, Ted Lasso is the fictional American football coach-turned-soccer manager from the hit Apple TV+ series who became a cultural phenomenon for his relentless optimism, community-first mentality, and belief that character matters more than trophies. Sound familiar, El Paso fans?
El Paso Locomotive FC has built its identity around precisely those kinds of values since joining USL Championship in 2019. The club has cultivated a fierce, loyal fanbase in the Borderland, developed young talent, and consistently competed at the top of the Western Conference — all while staying deeply connected to the community that supports it. That's not a corporate soccer franchise. That's a Ted Lasso kind of club.
Here's why the Sun City would be the perfect fictional landing spot for the mustachioed optimist:
- Community roots run deep. Locomotive FC games at Southwest University Park are electric, family-friendly affairs where the stands are packed with passionate locals. Ted Lasso lives for that kind of genuine connection between a club and its people.
- The underdog spirit is real. El Paso isn't a coastal soccer market. It doesn't have the budget of an MLS club. Yet Locomotive FC has consistently punched above its weight — a narrative Ted Lasso would absolutely thrive in.
- The Borderland identity is unique. El Paso sits at the intersection of American and Mexican soccer culture. The influence of Liga MX, the passion of border communities, and the growing Latino soccer fanbase in the region would give Ted every human story he could ever want.
- Player development matters here. Locomotive FC has shown a commitment to developing players and giving opportunities to those overlooked elsewhere — another Ted Lasso trademark.
Beyond the fun fictional framing, this conversation points to something genuinely important for American soccer fans: clubs like El Paso Locomotive FC are the backbone of the U.S. soccer pyramid. They're where the culture is being built from the ground up, where coaches with heart and vision can make a real difference, and where communities find identity through the beautiful game.
Ted Lasso may not be real, but the values he represents — kindness, resilience, and believing in people — are very much alive in the Borderland. And if he ever does decide to trade Kansas City for El Paso, Southwest University Park will have a biscuit waiting for him.