Hall's Impressive Run

Young Forward Keeps the Streak Alive Against Mexico

Julian Hall has made scoring for the U.S. men’s national team look routine. On Saturday in Glendale, the 18-year-old forward did it for the third time in as many appearances, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead over Mexico in the 28th minute.

The goal arrived at a time when the U.S. was struggling. Mexico had dominated the early stages, and Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side “never connected” and was “losing all the duels.” Then Gio Reyna sent a low cross in from the right, Raúl Rangel failed to handle it cleanly, and Hall was waiting to finish from close range with his right foot.

The strike put the New York Red Bulls forward in rare company. Only Eddie Johnson (2004-05) and Alexander Rae (1937) had previously scored in each of their first three USMNT games. Hall is also the third-youngest player to score against Mexico, at 18 years and 194 days, and reportedly the youngest in international soccer to score in his first three caps since Pelé in 1957.

His run began a week earlier with a debut goal against Peru, coming off a Sebastian Berhalter cross. He followed it by heading in a Reyna delivery against Chile, which made him the youngest American to score in his first two caps.

The production comes during a breakout year at club level. Hall has 10 goals and five assists for the Red Bulls, a team-high in goal contributions, and earned an MLS All-Star selection this summer. He signed his homegrown contract at 15.

Pochettino called the quality of his young players “a fantastic problem” to have, and said the staff will make “the right decision in the right moment.” After Saturday, Hall has made the decision more difficult.