“Ted Lasso” star Cristo Fernández made his long-awaited professional soccer debut for the El Paso Locomotive this weekend.
Fernández, known for playing the character Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series, signed for the Texas team in May but took the field for the first time on Saturday.
The 35-year-old from Guadalajara subbed on for Locomotive FC in the 79th minute of their USL Cup game against New Mexico United.
“What everybody came to see tonight at Southwest University Park in downtown El Paso,” a commentator said as Fernández entered the match, in a video clip posted by the Prinx Tires USL Cup account on X.
Fans celebrated on social media by quoting Rojas’ trademark line from the show: “Fútbol is life.”
Before pursuing acting, Fernández was a promising youth soccer player in the academy of Tecos Fútbol Club. Injuries put an end to his athletic career as a teenager — until he was spotted playing a preseason match for Locomotive FC last spring. He signed with the club after a two-month trial.
“Fútbol has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” Fernández said in a statement in May. “Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams … so being here with the ‘Locos’ actually makes perfect sense. ¡Vamos Locos!”
The game was tied at 0-0 when Fernández took the field, but New Mexico United scored twice in the last five minutes to beat El Paso.
According to a news release from the team, Fernández received a yellow card for a foul in the game’s 87th minute.
Fernández and the team come to the Alamo City next month to face league rivals San Antonio FC on Aug. 15 at Toyota Field.