The New York Red Bulls have seen enough from 18-year-old striker Julian Hall.
The kid with 12 goals and five assists across all competitions this year has inked a contract extension through 2029-30 that should make him the centerpiece of the franchise.
Hall and the Red Bulls will shoot for three points on Saturday night when they host the Philadelphia Union in Harrison, N.J.
Hall became the youngest player in MLS history to sign a U22 initiative deal at 18 years, 156 days. And why not? When one considers he’s drawn interest from sides in top leagues like La Liga, the Premier League and Ligue 1, New York would have been foolish not to lock him down.
“This club has been a huge part of my development and I’m grateful for everyone who has believed in me and helped me get to this point,” Hall said in a release. “I feel like I’m continuing to grow as a player and I’m excited to keep working, keep improving.”
With Hall setting the pace, New York (7-9-5, 26 points) currently sits eighth in the Eastern standings. It’s coming off a 1-1 draw on Aug. 22 against the Chicago Fire.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia (5-10-6, 21 points) is 13th in the East, although the Union are just three points out of the last playoff spot. Philadelphia is also coming off a 1-1 draw on Aug. 22 at Austin FC as its teenage standout, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, scored in the 18th minute.
Across all competitions, Sullivan has logged five goals and 11 assists.
“What makes him different is his maturity and his mentality,” Union interim coach Ryan Richter said of Sullivan. “We know about his talent. It’s incredible the things that he can do (with) the mentality that he has.”
Sullivan and Philadelphia have found their top form since the World Cup break, going 4-0-2 to give the Union a chance at the postseason. That started with a 3-1 win over the Red Bulls on July 22.
–Field Level Media
