‘Ted Lasso’ character ‘Dani Rojas’ undergoes trial with a USL team.
Cristo Fernández, cherished by fans globally for his portrayal of Dani Rojas in the popular series Ted Lasso, appears poised to transition his soccer aspirations from the screen to reality as he trials with USL Championship team El Paso Locomotive FC.
According to Goal, Fernández, 35, played for thirty minutes during Locomotive’s victory against New Mexico United over the weekend, with the team coached by Junior Gonzalez expected to decide on whether to offer the actor-turned-soccer player a contract in the upcoming week.
This does not seem to be the first club Fernández has pursued ahead of the new season, as MIR97 Media later reported that he had also spent time with Chicago Fire II a few weeks prior and even netted a goal in a victory over USL League One team Forward Madison FC.
There was no indication of whether he took a penalty in either match — nor if any greyhounds attempted to cross the field during his time on the pitch — but in the video below (just click to the right!) you can clearly observe Fernández celebrating El Paso’s victory alongside his teammates.
View this post on Instagram
A passionate soccer enthusiast who is frequently seen at professional games, Fernández’s efforts to join El Paso represent not so much a new direction as a return to his earlier ambitions. A talented player in his youth, Fernández faced a significant knee injury with his hometown club Tecos Fútbol Club at the age of 15, leading him to pursue acting during his university years.
Soccer players transitioning to the screen is not an entirely new phenomenon; figures like Vinnie Jones and the legendary Eric Cantona are among those who exchanged their cleats for the allure of Hollywood. Conversely, the reverse journey is less common but not unheard of, with Sean Connery having played for Bonnyrigg Rose in his youth and, according to legend, being offered a contract by Sir Matt Busby after impressing during a casual game that the iconic Manchester United manager was scouting.
