'Ted Lasso' Star Cristo Fernández Eyes Professional Soccer Dream with USL Tryout
Soccer is everything!
Cristo Fernández, the actor behind the cherished Dani Rojas character on Apple TV's hit series Ted Lasso, is working to translate his football skills from screen to pitch in real life.
According to Goal's Tom Hindle on Monday, Fernández participated for half an hour in an exhibition match for USL Championship squad El Paso Locomotive versus New Mexico United this past Saturday. El Paso is anticipated to decide on potentially offering Fernández a deal within the coming days.
Furthermore, MIR97 Media announced Monday that Fernández also featured for Chicago Fire II in an exhibition contest several weeks prior. The 35-year-old actor is pursuing his football aspirations in earnest.
Fernández played for Chicago Fire II in a friendly against Forward Madison a few weeks ago, and scored. https://t.co/R8HNooZ4wS pic.twitter.com/K8aIpb5EKn
During his youth, Fernández pursued soccer with ambitions of reaching the professional ranks. At 15 years old, he competed for Mexico's Tecos Fútbol Club, but a knee injury derailed his collegiate playing prospects. He subsequently pursued acting studies at a UK university. The rest, as they say, is history.
The fourth installment of Ted Lasso debuts later this summer, though it remains unclear what part Fernández's Rojas character will have in the new season as the series pivots toward a women's football team storyline. Perhaps we'll witness Fernández competing on actual soccer pitches in the near future.
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Madison Williams serves as a staff writer for the Breaking and Trending News division at Sports Illustrated, specializing in tennis while covering various sports from a national standpoint. Prior to joining SI in 2022, Williams was employed at The Sporting News. After earning her degree from Augustana College, she obtained a master's degree in sports media from Northwestern University. She enjoys being a dog parent and passionate reading.