Hall of Fame - Why New York Red Bulls’ 18-year-old Star Might be the Next Big Thing

Julian Hall's 2026 MLS Form has Left Clubs and Countries Fighting for his Services and Here's Why

The clock hadn’t even hit 15 minutes on Wednesday night, and Julian Zakrzewski Hall had found the back of the net for the sixth time this Major League Soccer campaign. A single touch finish was all it took to fire a shot past Sean Johnson in the DC United net, having left his surrounding opponents scrambling to figure out how he’d escaped his man.

Seeing the teenager’s name sit amongst legends at the heights of the MLS goalscoring charts has become a regularity for fans by now. At 18 years of age, the New York Red Bulls forward has swiftly become one of the most precise poachers stateside, carrying the weight of an entire club on his back, and keeping out Champions League winner, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, from the starting line-up.

Boom! Julian Hall's confident finish puts @NewYorkRedBulls ahead! 😤

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/XFYYZToAsN pic.twitter.com/U96HiqkvwW

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 22, 2026

Records can only be handed out on special occasions, and yet Hall has already picked up a cabinet's worth.

The third-youngest MLS player ever, the youngest debutant in Red Bulls history, the second youngest MLS goalscorer, the seventh-youngest player in MLS history to record two assists in a single match, the second-youngest player in Red Bulls history to record at least one goal contribution in three consecutive matches, and finally, the youngest player in MLS history to record five goals in their first six appearances of an MLS season.

Reading the statistics, it's almost unbelievable that a single player could boast so much hardly a month past their 18th birthday, but every once in a while, a true striker graces an MLS field with goalscoring ingrained into his mind, and before you know it, they make it to the greatest of stages.

Backed by Bradley

Halls’ head coach Michael Bradley knows a thing or two about ‘youngest-ever’ records. The former USMNT captain became the youngest MLS player ever to be sold when he was transferred from the Red Bulls (then the MetroStars) to Dutch outfit Heerenveen for $250,000 in January 2006.

Bradley (38) is currently the third-youngest coach in MLS behind St. Louis’ Yoann Damet (36) and Colorado’s Matt Wells (37). It feels as if the ex-Toronto midfielder retired yesterday, and in all fairness, it was only two seasons ago.

The head coach has had a mixed start to life in his debut managerial season in the senior game, after winning the MLS Next Pro Cup with the Red Bulls II in 2025, but it was always expected to be a turbulent year, and above all, a learning journey for Bradley.

Hall and his teenage colleague, Adri Mehmeti - who has also started all nine MLS games this season despite recently turning 17 - have helped their manager secure three victories and 12 points in 2026. A performance which currently leaves the Red Bulls in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, behind their inter-city rivals, NYCFC, on goal difference.

Young game changers. Adri and Julian snag @MLS Team of the Matchday honors. pic.twitter.com/49ilKJfYyi

— Red Bull New York (@NewYorkRedBulls) February 23, 2026

Speaking to beIN Sports after the Red Bulls’ US Open Cup round of 32 victory over USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Bradley said: "He’s been a really, really important player for us," Bradley said about Hall.

"Many of you guys have heard me say it: it's not just the goals, his ability to lead our press, to set the tone for everybody in terms of how aggressive we can be to step up and go after the other team.

"The chasing and the strength that he has can make the game really, really difficult for the other team. He chases midfielders from behind. Those things go unnoticed."

Due to his position as manager of NYRB’s second team last season, Bradley has already been able to watch and work with the likes of Hall and Mehmeti, as well as Matthew Dos Santos (17), who has started at left-back all season long. By appointing a head coach with such extensive knowledge of the club, the Red Bulls’ front office has made a move that is paying off significantly.

Following in Lewandowski’s Footsteps

When he isn’t posting some of the coldest photo-dumps known to man on his Instagram page, Hall idolises Chicago Fire-linked Robert Lewandowski, perhaps because of his ability in front of goal, or perhaps because of their shared Polish roots.

Hall’s decision to sport Zakrzewski on the back of his shirt undoubtedly sends a message that he is proud of his mother’s heritage, and has sparked plenty of noise in the Polish national team fanbase over the chance he might pick the Eagles over the USMNT, the nation he has represented in his youth career.

“I appreciate both of my cultures,” Hall said, speaking to CBS Sports.

“You know, I've visited Poland many, many times. But regarding to the playing part, I mean, I kind of would say whatever happens, happens.”

“I respect both nationalities so much. So, yeah.”

Poland would certainly welcome Hall’s abilities with open arms, as they look to replace Lewandowski’s 89 international goals in the near future, but after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, they haven’t done any favours in convincing the 18-year-old that Poland is the place to be, especially with a potential senior US call-up heading his way.

European Clubs have been tracking Julian Zakrzewski Hall 🇺🇸/🇵🇱 but it’s not only clubs!
The Polish FA have been closely monitoring Hall & see him as future starting 9.
All of the Polish main strikers are 30+ in age.#USMNT & U.S. Soccer need to do what it takes to keep him!!! pic.twitter.com/fpRwdIwSSG

— Edgar (@ConcacafEdgar) April 23, 2026

World Cups and Wealthy Transfers - What does Hall’s Future Hold?

The forward has been on the radar of top European clubs for a few years now due to his performances for the USA at youth tournaments, including the U17 World Cup last year.

In October 2023, the Evening Standard reported that Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were all tracking the talented forward. Then, in February 2025, the Mirror US hinted that Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund were also keeping an eye on Hall’s performances.

🚨 Chelsea are set to battle with Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid for the signature of MLS wonderkid Julian Hall.

(Source: Evening Standard) pic.twitter.com/FjzjFDmkL9

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 4, 2023

Now that the 18-year-old has found his goalscoring flow (he had previously scored three MLS goals in 38 appearances, albeit mainly from the bench) under Bradley, it feels like a matter of time before Hall is stepping out under the lights for one of the ‘Champions League Quarter Final-esque’ list mentioned above.

Patrick Agyemang’s ruptured Achilles has also revived talks of Hall’s inclusion in the USA’s World Cup squad this summer. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright are all still expected to go, but Mauricio Pochettino has previously named four centre-forwards in his squads, meaning an Agyemang replacement will be required imminently.

Probably too late for the World Cup, but if Julian Hall keeps this up, he won’t be in MLS next season.

No matter how advanced soccer stats get, players who can finish get the attention first.

Six goals and two assists in eight is a crazy start for an 18-year-old.

— Valair (@valairshabilla) April 23, 2026

Josh Sargent will be Hall’s closest competitor; however, the Toronto striker has often failed to perform for his country, and it cannot be argued that the former Norwich man is in better form than his teenage competition.