Cristo Fernández is learning how realistic it is to make the jump from AFC Richmond to the El Paso Locomotive FC.
The 35-year-old actor, who plays Dani Rojas in the hit Apple+ TV comedy-drama “Ted Lasso,” is on an informal tryout with the Locomotive and played 30 minutes in the team’s preseason friendly against New Mexico on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Fernández was working out with the team at the training session on Tuesday, March 3, and will be with the Locomotive into next week. He is not on a contract and technically has no formal link with the club, which will make a decision on his future next week.
He is not eligible for selection in the team’s regular-season opener this Saturday, March 7, at Southwest University Park against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
Per USL rules the Locomotive can’t make Fernández available to media until he signs a contract and the team is declining to discuss his future unless and until that happens. He also reportedly participated in a friendly with Chicago FC’s reserve squad two weeks ago.
A native of Mexico, Fernández played soccer in the Tecos system when he was 15 before an injury sent him into acting. In “Ted Lasso” he plays Rojas, a forward for the fictional English Premier League side AFC Richmond.
Season four of “Ted Lasso” is expected to come out this summer. Fernández has not yet been confirmed to be part of the cast.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Art imitates life? ‘Ted Lasso’ actor tries out for El Paso Locomotive
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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