Cristo Fernandez trained with Chicago Fire II, scored in friendly

Cristo Fernandez, who played Dani Rojas in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, trained with MLS side Chicago Fire last month, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

He also featured in a friendly for Chicago Fire II, finding the net despite not making the team. Earlier this week he began a trial with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive, training with them since Thursday and appearing in a preseason friendly at the weekend; a contract decision has not been made.

Fernandez played academy soccer in Mexico as a teenager, joining the Tecos FC academy before leaving the game at 15 after two significant knee injuries. He then turned to acting but has remained an avid football fan.

Other Ted Lasso cast members have football experience too: Kola Bokinni played at a semi-professional level before acting, and Phil Dunster has been praised by colleagues for his playing ability. El Paso's season begins on Saturday with a home game against Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

United States, Chicago, El Paso

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