Feb 28, 2026; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Red Bull New York forward Julian Hall (16) reacts after scoring a goal against the New England Revolution during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Seventeen-year-old Adri Mehmeti and 18-year-old Julian Hall are trading in their Red Bull for the red, white, and blue.
The pair of Red Bull New York’s young stars have been called up to the United States men’s national team (USMNT) by Mauricio Pochettino for its September-October camp, which will feature four friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.
It is the first senior-team call-ups for both Baby Bulls, as they continue to enjoy barnstorming rookie seasons in Major League Soccer.
“Honestly, I did not expect to break into the first team so fast,” Mehmeti told amNewYork in an exclusive first interview. “Last year, I was more with [Red Bull’s] second team, but I’m very thankful to [head coach Michael Bradley] and all the staff who believed in me, who trusted me to go out on the field nad play as many minutes as possible and try to play a big role.”
Memheti has been an anchor of New York’s midfield, appearing in 24 league games and recording one goal and three assists. His production has provided one of the more pleasant surprises for a Red Bull team that continues to hang on in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
“I’m so excited to meet all the new players,” Mehmeti said. “I know some of the more experienced guys because of agents and all that. But again, it’s going to be a really good experience playing with all these great players.”
The same cannot be said for Hall. He has been on US Soccer’s radar for some time and considered one of MLS’s wunderkinds. He has certainly lived up to the expectations, recording 12 goals and three assists in 27 matches across all competitions.
In July, he was named an MLS All-Star, becoming the second-youngest player in team history to get the nod.
Hall has been a hot commodity amongst multiple national programs. The Polish national team has been in hot pursuit of the New York native, given his mother hails from the European nation. She even hosted the head of the Polish FA earlier this summer.
Getting the call to Pochettino’s camp might help tip the scales in the Americans’ favor.
“It’s a dream come true for the both of us,” Mehmeti said. “It’s something I’m very excited about to experience with him. I’ve known him for a very long time and he’s a great friend of mine. We’re definitely going to go into this with our heads high and, of course, be humble, and give it our all on the training field and in the games.”
These will be the United States’ first games of the 2030 World Cup cycle and their first since making a run to the Round of 16 at the 2026 competition, which they co-hosted with Canada and Mexico. A win against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32 was Team USA’s first knockout win at a World Cup since 2002. They fell to Belgium in the last 16.
For more on Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, and Red Bull New York, visit AMNY.com
