The prodigiously gifted left-winger is already making history and megaclubs across the pond are taking notice
Looking back at the moment itself just a few months later, Julian Hall admits he wasn't nervous. Even he is surprised by that fact. How in the world did he not feel a tidal wave of anxiety the moment he stepped onto the field?
You see, the moment in question came on September 30, 2023. With the New York Red Bulls down a goal, the club turned to Hall in the 80th minute. Nothing unusual, clubs turn to attacking players late in games all the time. The difference is that Hall is 15 years old. 15. The number bears repeating.
Too young to go get a driver's license, but old enough to play meaningful minutes in an MLS game for a club in a playoff race. By making his appearance, Hall became the second-youngest player in MLS history. The only one younger? Freddy Adu.
"I wouldn't say there were nerves," Hall told GOAL, "which is pretty surprising. I definitely just couldn't believe that I was on the field. It was really surreal to me. It took me a while to even feel like I was playing in the game. It was definitely one of the best feelings I've ever experienced and hopefully, I can continue with that."
The world is watching now. Clubs all over Europe have been linked, and they're big ones. Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich.. all have been linked with the rising 15-year-old starlet.
It's still wild to Hall, whose life has totally changed over the last year in ways he still can't quite fathom.
"I think it's all changed a lot after last year," he said. "I never really got the high school experience. I never really attended high school before, but there was a pretty big chunk of teenage life that got away a bit, but it's all been taken out for a good reason now: my development and for me to have a career in this sport."
What's next for the rising 15-year-old star? GOAL spoke to Hall to discuss his career so far and, of course, his hopes for the future…
Insta: julianhall_Where it all began
He doesn't remember the exact moment it happened, nor the real reason why. There was no wake-up moment for Hall when he was younger. At some point early on, he just really fell in love with soccer.
Hall played other sports, but, at one point, soccer became the one. And it didn't take him long to realize that he was actually pretty damn good at it.
"I wouldn't say I was ever the best player, that came at a later time," Hall said. "I started training from age or three years up, and that made me realize that maybe I had a chance to pursue this as a career. When I look at where I am right now, it makes me feel like I have a chance to go somewhere with soccer."
Growing up, Hall was inspired by those around him. He had the usual European influences, although those were only heightened by his Polish ancestry. He loved watching Manchester United, although he initially chose them as a kid mostly for the colors. The player he idolized most, though, was Robert Lewandowski, as anyone with a connection to Poland would.
Born in Manhattan, Hall embraced the uniqueness of the New York soccer scene, one that has always been a big melting pot of cultures. He came from a Polish background through his mother's side, but a quick walk around any New York City game will introduce you to any number of players from any number of different backgrounds.
"There were all sorts of cultures and people," Hall said. "Especially when I played on my local team, people were coming from all over the city. It's definitely thriving where I'm from."
By the time he was 12, though, Hall was ready to make the leap from New York to New Jersey. He joined the Red Bulls in 2020, and it didn't take long for him to prove himself at one of the best academies in MLS.
AdvertisementThe big break
Hall's early years with the Red Bulls youth teams? In a word: dominant.
In 39 matches, the forward scored 28 goals for the academy team, working his way up the ranks. His most notable achievement came with the Red Bulls U-15s at the 2023 MLS NEXT Cup, where he scored five goals to earn an MVP award and, more importantly, the tournament trophy for the Red Bulls team. He also won the Golden Boot award at the 2023 Generation adidas Cup, scoring five more goals, including two in a win over Chelsea.
Ahead of the 2023 MLS Next Pro season, Hall signed his first professional deal. He went on to make 10 appearances, scoring twice despite being among the younger players in the league. By September, those in charge had seen enough to offer him a three-year contract with the first team. And then, just 23 days later, he was on the field for that debut just over halfway into his 15th year on this planet.
"In terms of training with them and getting opportunities with the first team, because of that, [the debut] wasn't a surprise," he said. "I try to stay ready for anything. Anything can happen. But, with that, that was something that I couldn't believe happened in that moment"
He added: "Of course I see certain things going on. Of course, the accolades for the players that came before me, they were all important in making the history of the league. For me now, I think it's incredibly important to just stay focused, especially on myself."
In just a few years, Hall had basically speed-run the Red Bulls system. He made leap after leap after leap relatively quickly, going from academy to second team to first before his 16th birthday.
How it's going
The expectation is that Hall will be eased into the Red Bulls' first team. He's just 15, after all. There's so much maturing he needs to do, on and off the field, before he's ready to be a regular contributor at a top, top level.
If this preseason is anything to go by, though, Hall might not be too far away from his second MLS appearance.
"Julian is one of those players that, no matter what we put in front of him, he managed to have an impact and he managed to adapt," said Red Bulls academy director Sean McCafferty. "We'd be lying, though, if we said we'd expected him to adapt to first-team training as quickly as he has."
He added:" The best compliment I can give him is that every time you put him into an environment where you think he's going to struggle, he finds a way to make it work."
Hall got plenty of minutes during the Red Bulls' preseason run and, against St. Louis, he came off the bench to win a penalty for his team. He provided an assist against the Chicago Fire, too, teeing up Elias Manoel. It's the type of impact he can make, even at his age.
Still, the Red Bulls won't rush him. Hall will be given all the time he needs.
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Biggest strengths
Able to play across the attacking line, Hall is primarily a left-winger, one with the ability to beat a defender and, when the time comes, make things happen in the final third.
His goalscoring record on the youth level speaks for itself, as do his preseason contributions. Despite his age, Hall is confident and dynamic, a player who has an eye for goal at every level he's played at so far in his young career.
"I think being an attacking threat is a huge part of being an attacker, but I have so much to learn. I have great role models at the club to help me to keep improving every day. Nothing is final yet, of course, but there are always things that I can improve on."
At 5'10", Hall already has size, and he could still grow a bit considering his age. He has the pace and skill to beat defenders, helping him create the moments needed to contribute in the attacking third. In terms of physical gifts, they're all there, which is why he can play with players twice his age.
Hall has already found one heck of a role model with the Red Bulls: club legend Bradley Wright-Phillips. One of the most prolific strikers MLS has ever seen, Wright-Phillips has helped Hall adjust to life at this new level.
"I came into the team last year at a young age and it was a new environment for me," he said. "Bradley Wright-Phillips is someone with a great history in the league. The fact that he's still around the team and at the facility, he's available all the time to ask questions and get information from him."
"I think the things that he showed when he was in the league, there's that potential for myself, but I have a long way to go, but having him there is definitely a key aspect of my development."
Wright-Phillips said of hall: "I think he needs a lot more games at the MLS NEXT Pro level but I will say this – the way he’s matured, his body, everything… he’s ready to get minutes for the first-team — and if he does, don’t be surprised if he comes on and has an impact in some games.
"But I think with the young players, we don’t wanna go too fast. There are steps you have to take to adjust your game and I think Julian should take those steps and if he continues to do well at the NEXT Pro level… then he will get his chance."