Fútbol became real life for Cristo Fernández on Saturday night.
The “Ted Lasso” actor went from the fictional pitch for AFC Richmond to taking the field for El Paso Locomotive FC of the United Soccer League. Facing New Mexico United, Fernández entered the game as a substitute for Rubio Rubín in the 79th minute of the Locomotive’s 2-0 defeat in a USL Cup match.
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El Paso and New Mexico were in a scoreless tie until the 85th minute when Joseph Quiah scored in the left corner for United. Zico Bailey found the net four minutes later on a cross from Jake LaCava for a 2-0 lead. Attendance for the match was announced at 5,011.
Locomotive FC announced on Wednesday that Fernández was added to the club’s 18-man matchday roster for a home game at Southwest University Park versus New Mexico.
“Yes, it’s really him,” Locomotive FC included in Fernández’s bio on the club’s website.
Saturday’s match was actually the second time Fernández saw game action versus New Mexico. He played 30 minutes in a preseason friendly between the two clubs on Feb. 28.
Fernández, 35, signed with the Locomotive in May after training with the team for a two-month trial and playing in the aforementioned preseason friendly. Demonstrating that this wasn’t just a lark for the actor, Fernández also trained on trial with the second team of the MLS’ Chicago Fire FC in March and scored twice in a scrimmage.
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“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 with Locomotive FC’s announcement.
Prior to becoming an actor and gaining fame as Dani Rojas for Richmond’s Greyhounds, Fernández had aspirations of becoming a professional footballer. He played for Mexico’s Tecos Fútbol Club as a 15-year-old before a knee injury derailed those ambitions.
With a record of 5-5-4, Locomotive FC currently holds seventh place in the USL’s Western Conference standings. They visit Tulsa FC at ONEOK Field next Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
