JOSE "CHILA" MONTES DE OCA, a 19-year-old from Santa Ana, Calif., made his first-team debut Friday for Liga MX defending champions Leon. The forward came on in the 79th minute to help his team hang on to a 2-1 lead over Queretaro and its high-profile import, Ronaldinho.

"When I ran onto the field, all I could think of was, 'Here I go—all I've been working for is here,'" Montes de Oca told American Soccer Now. "I didn't even have [Ronaldinho] in my head because it was my debut game."

"But I was happy."

Prior to Friday, Montes de Oca had been playing for Leon's under-20 team, scoring two goals in nine contests. Former Mexican national team star Jorge Campos, who runs Delfines LA sports academy, recommended Montes de Oca to Leon.

The teenager is relishing the entire experience, citing Jose "Gallito" Vazquez as the player he looks up to the most and calling Leon manager Gustavo Matosas "the best manager in Mexico. He knows what he wants from a player and helps out a lot."

"Training with Leon has been like training with family," Chila added, "and I I look up to all of them because at one time, they were my age too. They always encourage me to work so I'll get better."

Montes is Mexican-American and eligible to play for both Mexico and the United States, though neither federation has contacted him as of yet. When asked which one he'd choose, he gave a shrewd answer: "Whoever comes calling first."

For now, Chila remains focused on winning another opportunity with Leon's first team as the club, currently in 12th place, tries to overcome a slow start to the season.

"I feel happy to be a part of it, and I think the team played well—Leon is a team that no matter what's going on, losing or winning, we play 100%. And yes, we needed the win [Friday night] to make us fight for a spot in the playoffs."

Kim Tate is a Mexico-based soccer writer. Follow her on Twitter.