Despite being just 17 years old, New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall has done this too many times to count.
In the 19th minute of Sunday’s Leagues Cup match against Mexican side Monterrey, Hall toed the line set by the defense and timed his run perfectly as the ball left midfielder Daniel Edelman’s foot from the Red Bulls’ half to beat the offside trap.
Edelman’s grounded pass was perfect, sending Hall in alone down the middle of the pitch on the Monterrey keeper, Luis Cardenas. A left-footed laser of a shot left Cardenas no chance as he futilely waved an arm at the ball as it seared the back of the goal.
It was Hall’s first goal of the season in any competition — the emphatic finish worthy of opening his 2025 ledger with the first team. But even more impressive was the run to get behind the Monterrey defense to receive Edelman’s ball, because he happened to do it against one of this generation’s greatest center backs in the legendary Sergio Ramos.
“At least before I made the run, I knew he was the man marking me,” Hall told amNewYork. “I have to know who’s around me and what I can do to take advantage of in those moments.”
Not many strikers have done what Hall was able to pull off against Ramos, who is obviously slowed down by Father Time. The 39-year-old was once an immovable presence within the great Real Madrid teams of the 2010s, and one of the most decorated players of an era.
With Real Madrid, he won four UEFA Champions Leagues, four FIFA Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, five Spanish league titles, four Spanish Super Cups, and two Copa del Reys. He also won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two European Championships with the Spanish national team.
While the legs might not be as quick as they once were, Ramos’ anticipation and IQ are undimmed, which made Hall’s move all the more impressive, especially considering he is 22 years younger.
“Julian Hall against Sergio Ramos? That’s great to see,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said. “To be honest with you, this is a 17-year-old guy playing against a 39-year-old with a lot of experience. Everyone knows about the quality of Sergio Ramos.”
The teenager was meandering almost lazily amongst the Monterrey backline before an explosive cut and first step, the nanosecond the ball left Edelman’s foot, catapulted him clear of Ramos.
“Right after I scored, I kind of realized that,” Hall said. “It’s a crazy moment because he’s someone I’ve watched my whole life. For me, he’s one of the best defenders of all time. So for me to even be on the same field as him, it was such an honor.”
It also is, realistically, just the start for Hall.
This is a talent that is projected to be the next big thing in American soccer, and a move to a bigger team in a premier European league feels like only a matter of time. Nights like Sunday further suggest that, and it also strengthens his case as to why he should get more playing time with the Red Bulls’ first team once MLS action starts back up on Sunday against Real Salt Lake.
While he has appeared in 18 league matches this season, he has only compiled 386 minutes, which is an average of 21.4 minutes per game.
“I think the last two games I’ve been happy that the coaches trusted me to put me in the game,” Hall said. “It’s given me more confidence, and I’m just trying to build myself up to carry it forward. That’s the main focus right now.”
But first is the Leagues Cup Phase One finale against another Mexican side in Juarez, which will be played on Thursday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium. With four points in two matches — they defeated Chivas in the opener before falling to Monterrey in penalties on Sunday night — New York needs to win and get a lot of help from the five teams sitting between them and the fourth and final qualification spot.
“The main goal is to win,” Hall said. “We’re trying to leave the last game in the past, but we have to go into this thing 100% and go in and try to win as much as we can.”
