Red Bull New York forward Julian Hall has been named to the MLS All-Star Game as a commissioner's pick. The 18-year-old phenom will join the MLS squad to face the LIGA MX All-Stars on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium.
Hall, a native of Manhattan, has had a breakout season for the Red Bulls, currently leading the team with nine goals in 15 regular-season matches. This goal tally places him among the top 10 scorers in the league this season. He recorded his first career MLS brace in the season opener against Orlando City SC and scored a hat trick in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew on May 13. At 18 years and 50 days old, Hall became the youngest player in MLS history to score three goals in a single game.
His selection marks the third time a player with New York roots has been named to an MLS All-Star squad, joining former Red Bulls defender Mike Petke and Wappingers Falls native Tyler Adams.
Speaking in June, Hall described his first half of the season as "decent," expressing a desire to improve further in the second half as the team pushes for the playoffs. The Red Bulls are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and have won three of their last four matches heading into the World Cup break. Head coach Michael Bradley views the break as an opportunity for a "second preseason," noting that teams finding form in the latter half of the season historically perform well.