Watch: Red Bulls’ 17-year-old starlet scores MLS brace

It was a winter of change for the New York Red Bulls and the early signs for the future are very promising. New head coach Michael Bradley took charge of his first professional game against Orlando City on Saturday and his bold selection decision paid off.

Bradley opted to hand 17-year-old starlet Julian Hall a start as the team’s central striker, leaving last year’s top scorer and former Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting on the bench. It was a bold call but Hall repaid his faith almost immediately, scoring after eight minutes to nudge the Red Bulls into the lead.

The NYRB opener came after some dazzling footwork from captain Emil Forsberg, who has been a top performer in MLS when fit. If Hall and Forsberg can form a productive partnership for the Red Bulls there will be real reason for optimism around the team, particularly with the pace of Jorge Ruvalcaba and Cade Cowell on the wings.

Things got even better for Hall later in the half, completing a brace with this sharp poacher’s finish. Incredibly, Hall’s second was set up by 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmet. The young guns proved to be the game-winners for NYRB as they begin life under Michael Bradley with a 2-1 win.

The opening day goal marks a key step forward in hall’s young career as he stakes a claim for a starting berth in MLS. He made his MLS debut in September 2023, at the age of 15 years and 190 days. He scored his first league goal the following June, becoming the second-youngest scorer in MLS history (behind Freddy Adu).

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.