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Trust me, it's far more difficult than Julian Hall makes it appear.
That was surely the thought running through Christian Pulisic's mind as he sat on his couch Saturday evening, watching the 18-year-old forward net his third goal in as many appearances for the United States, a milestone the veteran star has never personally reached.
Hall received his maiden call-up to the USMNT this fall, being named among 28 players for the four-match September-October international window, while the USMNT's marquee star, Pulisic, was surprisingly omitted from the squad.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino's daring decision paid dividends right away, with the New York City native finding the net in each of his opening three international appearances. Hall entered as a substitute in his debut against Peru the previous week, and within just 10 minutes of stepping onto the field, he deflected the ball into the net with his knee. He also set up a goal in the 90th minute, helping the USMNT cruise to a commanding 4–1 win.
Hall was even more impressive in the subsequent friendly against Chile, his first career start. He helped create the USMNT's opening goal with a clever "dummy" run that left the Chilean defense completely bamboozled, before heading the ball into the net himself in the 51st minute. Though the USMNT added two further goals before the final whistle, it was Hall's influence that gave the team its attacking momentum and secured a 4–2 triumph. Hall became the youngest player in USMNT history to score in consecutive matches.
But the teenager wasn't done yet. His third moment of brilliance arrived in Saturday's high-profile clash against fierce rivals Mexico. Starting once again, Hall pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to put the USMNT in front in the 28th minute. Midfielder Giovanni Reyna had fired a near-post effort from the goal line, which El Tri goalkeeper Raúl Rangel fumbled and dropped. Hall was perfectly positioned in front of goal to react, firing it first time into the net.
Hall became only the third player in USMNT history to score in each of his first three international appearances and the first to accomplish the feat in more than 20 years. Eddie Johnson did it in 2004–05, while Alexander Rae achieved it back in 1937.
Hall joins teammate Malik Tillman as the only two USMNT players in the last decade to score in three straight appearances. Last accomplished by USMNT icon Clint Dempsey in 2016, it is a milestone that Pulisic has chased and fallen short of throughout his entire international career. "Captain America" has scored in two consecutive games on three occasions (June 2017, October 2017, October 2023) but has never managed to extend the run to a third match.