From AFC Richmond to the real-life pros — believe! Cristo Fernández, known as the the goal-scoring “Dani Rojas” on the hit Apple TV soccer show “Ted Lasso,” has been signed by the USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC. Fernández’s character popularized the catchphrase “Fútbol is life.” After a two-month trial with the Locomotive, the club opted to add him to its roster. “His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club,” Locomotive Head Coach Junior Gonzalez said in a statement. El Paso plays in the same league as Sacramento Republic FC. The Republic lost 2-1 to El Paso when the teams last faced off on March 28.Their next match together will be in El Paso on Oct. 17.Both teams play in the same Western Conference and are only separated by a point in the standings. El Paso is now in fourth place and Sacramento in fifth. Fernández played youth soccer as a forward with Tecos FC but was sidelined at age 15 with an injury, according to El Paso’s press release. “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. He added that the journey back to professional soccer was “about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let’s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en mí. Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams… so being here with the “Locos” actually makes perfect sense. ¡Vamos Locos!”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

From AFC Richmond to the real-life pros — believe!

Cristo Fernández, known as the the goal-scoring “Dani Rojas” on the hit Apple TV soccer show “Ted Lasso,” has been signed by the USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC.

Fernández’s character popularized the catchphrase “Fútbol is life.” After a two-month trial with the Locomotive, the club opted to add him to its roster.

“His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club,” Locomotive Head Coach Junior Gonzalez said in a statement.

El Paso plays in the same league as Sacramento Republic FC. The Republic lost 2-1 to El Paso when the teams last faced off on March 28.

Their next match together will be in El Paso on Oct. 17.

Both teams play in the same Western Conference and are only separated by a point in the standings. El Paso is now in fourth place and Sacramento in fifth.

Fernández played youth soccer as a forward with Tecos FC but was sidelined at age 15 with an injury, according to El Paso’s press release.

“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.

He added that the journey back to professional soccer was “about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let’s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en mí. Maybe I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams… so being here with the “Locos” actually makes perfect sense. ¡Vamos Locos!”

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel