EL PASO, Texas — Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández, best known for portraying fan-favorite striker Dani Rojas on the Apple TV+ series, made his professional soccer debut Saturday night for El Paso Locomotive FC.
Fernández took the field at Southwest University Park as El Paso hosted rival New Mexico United in a USL Championship matchup.
While the actor’s appearance drew attention from fans on both sides of the border, New Mexico United left West Texas with the result, defeating El Paso 2-0 thanks to a pair of late goals.
After a scoreless first half, United broke through in the 85th minute when Joseph Melto slipped a shot past El Paso goalkeeper Blake Gillingham to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Zico Bailey doubled the advantage, scoring his second goal of the season.
New Mexico preserved the shutout with a goal-line clearance from Kipp Keller deep into stoppage time, securing the club’s fifth clean sheet in its last seven matches.
Head Coach Dennis Sanchez credited the team’s depth after several second-half substitutions helped spark the late offensive surge.
“I have full confidence in every player who was here tonight,” Sanchez said after the match. “We have a great roster. More than anything, there’s belief and confidence.”
The victory gives New Mexico United three more points in the Western Conference standings as the club prepares for a road match against Lexington SC on Wednesday.
United returns home on August 1 to face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks at RGCU Field at Isotopes Park.
