Joya, a Promising U.S. Player, Makes a Mark in Mexico In recent years there have been an increasing number of American players who have succeeded professionally in Mexico. Herculez Gomez won a share of the scoring title in the 2010 Clausura. Jose Torres has been a consistent presence in Pachuca's midfield since 2008. This season, Tijuana is off to a terrific start with Edgar Castillo and Joe Corona playing important roles. The Liga MX season is now in its ninth week and California native Benji Joya is aiming to be the next American success story after breaking into the first team at one of the country's most powerful clubs in Santos Laguna. Joya, who turned 19 last week, signed with Santos Laguna last December and has progressed quickly through the club's youth system. Last weekend he made his Liga MX debut as a second-half substitute in a 0-0 draw against Jaguares. Afterward, Joya earned praise from the media for his performance but admitted that it was not an easy moment for him. To help fight nervousness, he received encouragement from his teammates, most notably fellow American Herculez Gomez. "I was comfortable before the game but when they called my name to go in, I was very nervous," Joya admitted. Herculez was actually telling me just to do what I know. I felt very confident after about five minutes and thought I did well. When Joya first arrived at the club, Gomez was one of the first people he approached. As the club's only other American, Joya wanted to seek the advice from someone who is a U.S international and who has also won a Mexican scoring title. Since then, the two Americans have become close even as they are at different ends of their careers. "He's been a good friend and a great teammate," Joya said of Gomez. I asked him for some tips and he has helped me a lot. He's been pushing me. When he arrived at Santos Laguna, Joya was a central attacking midfielder but he has since moved to the wings. He is naturally right-footed but he scores most of his goals with shots off his left foot. On the wings, he likes to play on the right side and cut centrally to get the ball onto his left foot. Joya developed this versatile playing style when he was a standout with California's De Anza Force. He initially planned to continue to his development at Cal State Bakersfield but he caught the eye of Santos Laguna scouts before starting college It was a risky decision to forgo the N.C.A.A but Joya decided it was his best chance to begin his career. "I like school but I wanted to start my career already," Joya said. In Mexico I think I was going to have more of a chance so I went for it. Leaving home was not easy for Joya because in addition to playing soccer and going to school, he also had been working with his mother in her janitorial service. Joya's family encouraged him to pursue his career, and after his debut he was quick to call his mother back home. "It was hard at first because I worked with my mom," Joya said. She has a janitorial service and it's a hard job. I felt bad leaving her because she had to work by herself and take care of my little brothers with my stepdad. She was the first person I called right after the game. She was so happy and excited. Joya is now seen as one of Santos Laguna's most promising young players and his success has not gone unnoticed by U.S Under-20 head coach Tab Ramos. Before this year, Joya had never represented the United States internationally. When he was in high school, he hoped to make U.S. Soccer's residency program for the U-17 national team but he was never selected. That was a disappointment for Joya, but when he was called up by Ramos for a U-20 camp in February, he was impressive and has been a part of the team ever since. Joya is very happy playing for the United States but it is a different situation than the one he envisioned when he was young. As the son of two Mexican-born parents, it was Joya's childhood dream to instead play for the Mexican national team. The rivalry between the United States and Mexico in soccer is extremely tense but when Joya was selected by Ramos for his first camp, his desire to continue to play for the United States became steadfast. He is now at the point where the thought of playing for Mexico is just a memory. "When I was young I wanted to play for Mexico," Joya said. After [Ramos] called me, I have a lot of love for the U.S shirt. I actually want to stay [with them]. I don't think I would play for Mexico, to be honest. I want to play for the U.S national team and my mind is pretty much made up. It has indeed been a transformative year for Joya, who has gone from a player with plans to join a midlevel college program to that of a top prospect for both Santos Laguna and U.S. Soccer. He now hopes that 2013 will see even more milestones, with his main goal being next summer's U-20 World Cup. "Playing in the World Cup would be another dream come true," Joya said. It's been on my mind since I was first called up. The senior team is still another big thing for me. Obviously it depends on me and how disciplined I am but I'm doing a pretty good job with that. I haven't reached anything yet.