{"id":1168,"date":"2026-05-12T17:09:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:09:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=1168"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:09:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:09:20","slug":"ted-lasso-star-cristo-fernandez-signs-professional-contract-with-el-paso-locomotive-fc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=1168","title":{"rendered":"‘Ted Lasso’ star Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez signs professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n article<\/span><\/div>

El Paso Locomotive FC signs forward Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez (Source: El Paso Locomotive FC)<\/span> <\/p>

Read more Houston Methodist employee found stabbed in Texas Medical Center garage, search continues for suspect<\/a><\/p> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

EL PASO, Texas<\/strong> – <\/span>El Paso Locomotive FC has signed forward Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez, the club announced Tuesday, completing a professional soccer comeback for the athlete and actor best known for his role in the television series “Ted Lasso.”<\/p>

The signing remains pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.<\/p>

Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez joins Texas FC club<\/h2>
<\/div>

Fern\u00e1ndez, 34, joins the Locomotive following a two-month trial period during which he participated in team training and appeared in a preseason match against New Mexico United.<\/p>

What they’re saying:<\/p>

“Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” Locomotive Head Coach Junior Gonzalez said in a statement. “His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club.”<\/p>

The move marks a return to competitive roots for Fern\u00e1ndez. He began his career in the youth system of Mexican club Tecos FC but was forced to step away from the sport at age 15 due to injury. He subsequently pivoted to an acting career, earning international acclaim for portraying the joyfully optimistic Dani Rojas, whose catchphrase was “Football is life,” on the Apple TV+ series.<\/p>

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\"\"<\/figure>\n

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 03: Actor Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez at SeriesFest: Season 10 Soir\u00e9e at Asterisk on May 03, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tom Cooper\/Getty Images for SeriesFest)<\/span> <\/p>

Read more Spring Branch ISD board votes to close Northbrook Middle School<\/a><\/p>

Expand<\/div><\/div><\/div>

“F\u00fatbol 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,” said Fern\u00e1ndez. “I\u2019m incredibly grateful to El Paso Locomotive FC \u2013 the club, coaches, staff, and especially my teammates \u2013 for opening the doors and giving me the opportunity to compete from day one.<\/p>

“This journey back to professional f\u00fatbol soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be. Because as we say in Mexico: hay que seguirle echando ganas (let\u2019s keep giving it our all). Siempre agradecido con Dios, mi familia y amistades por creer en m\u00ed. Maybe I\u2019m just a crazy man with crazy dreams\u2026 so being here with the “Locos” actually makes perfect sense. \u00a1Vamos Locos!”<\/p>

The Guadalajara native joins a roster that currently includes five forwards and seven midfielders. His addition comes as the Locomotive prepares to return to Southwest University Park on Wednesday, May 27, to host AV Alta FC in a Prinx Tires USL Cup match.<\/p>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

El Paso Locomotive is currently competing in the 2026 USL Championship season and the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.<\/p>

While the club itself does not compete in the FIFA World Cup, individual players (such as Jahmali Waite) have participated in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying matches.<\/p>

Read more Houston dispensary employee shoots teen, juvenile in critical condition<\/a><\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

El Paso Locomotive FC has signed forward Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez, the club announced Tuesday, completing a professional soccer comeback for the athlete and actor best known for his role in the television series “Ted Lasso.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","category-texas"],"yoast_head":"\n'Ted Lasso' star Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez signs professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC - Houston Moving Journal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=1168\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"'Ted Lasso' star Cristo Fern\u00e1ndez signs professional contract with El Paso Locomotive FC - 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