Hall, 18, becomes youngest to score MLS hat-trick

Julian Hall, an 18-year-old striker for Red Bull New York, became the youngest player in Major League Soccer history to record a regular-season hat-trick on May 13, 2026. Hall scored all three goals to lead Red Bull New York to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The Red Bull homegrown player expressed gratitude for the performance and the record, noting that the achievement brought back memories of his preparation. Hall stated that he got kind of emotional upon learning of the milestone, adding that the moment made him think about the hard work required to create such memories.

Hall credited his teammates for the success, stating he was really grateful and thankful for the guys that set me up and put me in a great position.

Season Performance and Golden Boot Race

The hat-trick is part of a strong start to the 2026 season for Hall, who has started every match of the campaign. Through 13 appearances, Hall has scored nine goals, establishing himself as a primary offensive threat for his club.

This goal-scoring rate has placed the teenager in contention for the Golden Boot presented by Audi. Hall is currently competing in the race against more experienced strikers, including Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF, Hugo Cuypers of Chicago Fire FC, Sam Surridge of Nashville SC, and Petar Musa of FC Dallas.

Hall’s contribution to the team’s offense has been significant, with his nine goals accounting for 41% of Red Bull New York’s total attacking output this year.

Team Standings and All-Star Considerations

The win over Columbus Crew has improved Red Bull New York’s position in the Eastern Conference table, where they now sit in sixth place. The team has accumulated 18 points and five wins across their first 13 matches of the season.

Given his production levels, Hall is now considered a candidate for the MLS All-Star roster. Head coach Michael Bradley addressed the possibility of All-Star selections following the match, jokingly asking if coaches were permitted to vote for players on their own team.

Coaching Perspective

Coach Michael Bradley praised Hall’s professionalism and temperament, emphasizing the player’s willingness to learn and grow within the system.

Jules is a great kid. Nothing’s going in his head. He comes in every day ready to work, ready to train, ready to listen. He has great personality. He has really good starting points as a player. And I’ve enjoyed every second of working with him.

Michael Bradley