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Autumn may mark the conclusion of the most significant summer in U.S. men's national team history, yet it has also provided the earliest glimpses of what lies ahead for the program's future.
By turning to a young and largely inexperienced squad for the first international window following the World Cup, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino's bold decision is proving far more successful than anyone anticipated.
The USMNT claimed victories in its opening two friendlies against Chile and Peru, outscoring both opponents 8–3 across 180 minutes. Four of those eight goals were netted by teenagers, while three additional goals featured direct contributions from the young Americans.
While Mathis Albert's goal against Chile at 17 years and 131 days old establishes him as the youngest scorer in USMNT history, 18-year-old Julian Hall also walked away from Tuesday's victory with a piece of history of his own.
With a goal in each match along with an assist against Peru, the New York Red Bulls star became the youngest player in program history to score in consecutive USMNT appearances and the 13th player ever to find the net in each of his first two international caps.
Two games for Julian Hall.
Two goals for Julian Hall! #USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/Pc1ucRS3CK
All of Pochettino's young call-ups have made strong impressions, but it comes as little surprise that Hall is among the first to make his mark on the scoresheet. He has been playing professionally since September 2023, making his Red Bulls debut at just 15 years and 190 days old — so young that New Jersey labor laws for minors prevented him from playing past 7 p.m. local time.
"My debut was an incredible moment for me, my family, and everyone close to me," Hall tells Sports Illustrated, reflecting on the match against the Chicago Fire. "Honestly, for the first few minutes, I wasn't quite sure what to do. I was just looking around, soaking it all in."
He has grown considerably from that wide-eyed youngster. Hall has already accumulated 10 goals and five assists across 26 appearances this season with the New York Red Bulls, becoming the youngest teenager to reach double-digit goals in a single MLS campaign.
New York Star Thriving at Home
Hall's journey to the USMNT and his standout role with the New York Red Bulls all began in Manhattan, where he still resides in an apartment with his mother and nine-year-old brother, Leon.
Despite the daily commute across the Hudson River to the Red Bulls' training facilities in New Jersey, it has done nothing to slow his ascent through the ranks since he joined the academy at age 12.
Earlier this month, Hall received news of his first USMNT call-up while sitting in that same familiar apartment — the most significant milestone of his career so far, all within the same four walls that have watched him transform from a promising prospect into a rising star.
"Honestly, I did not expect to be in this position at 18," Hall says of his rapid climb to the top levels of the sport. "...I definitely did not think any of this would be happening right now."
Hall also recently penned a new deal with the Red Bulls running through the 2029–30 season, making him the youngest American U-22 Initiative signing in league history. Now on his second MLS contract, he is eligible to earn a base salary of up to $1 million.
His focus remains on delivering consistent performances every time he steps on the field, and if he keeps it up, there is no doubt more history awaits.