One of the youngest players in the North American Soccer League is making his presence felt.

After an impressive July, 19-year-old Cosmos midfielder Eric Calvillo was named NASL player of the month by the league’s media.

After waiting a long time for his chance to break into the squad on a regular basis, the U.S. youth international has grasped his opportunity. Calvillo scored three times and added an assist in four games last month.

Four of Calvillo’s five league appearances this season came in July. In his three starts, he played all but five minutes in those matches. The youngster’s confidence has grown each game, punctuating the month with a two-goal effort in a 3-1 win over spring season champion Miami FC to begin the fall season. Calvillo scored his first goal of the year in the spring finale July 15 to lift the Cosmos to a 1-0 victory over FC Edmonton.

In his first start of the year July 8, Calvillo assisted on the Cosmos’ lone goal – a strike by Emmanuel Ledesma – in a 2-1 loss to Indy Eleven.

Calvillo has added a steadying presence that belies his years. He finished the month with a passing accuracy percentage of 94.55.

He signed with the Cosmos Jan. 15, 2016, making his debut later that year against Jacksonville Armada FC. He scored his first goal for the club Oct. 29 – a game-winner in a 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC.

In 2015, Calvillo represented the U.S. in the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile, featuring in all three games.

The Cosmos head to Calvillo’s home state of California, visiting to the San Francisco Deltas Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (MSG Networks).

The team returns to MCU Park in Brooklyn to face Indy Eleven Saturday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.