Cristo Fernández made his professional soccer debut for El Paso Locomotive on Saturday, entering in the 79th minute of a USL Cup match against New Mexico United. Wearing the No. 91 jersey, the forward received a yellow card during his brief appearance as Locomotive fell 2-0.

Fernández, best known for playing fictional striker Dani Rojas on the Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso," previously spent time in the youth system of former Liga MX club Tecos. Injuries in his early 20s ended his initial playing ambitions, leading to a successful acting career.

The 33-year-old Mexican began a structured return to the sport last year, working with a performance coach, physical therapist and a soccer clinic in Mexico. A trial with Chicago Fire's reserve side early in 2026 preceded a second trial with El Paso, which resulted in a contract.

The debut marks a rare crossover from entertainment to professional sport. For El Paso, the signing brings marketing attention to a USL Championship side currently navigating cup competition. Fernández's next step is earning meaningful minutes in league play, where his experience could add depth to the attack.