HARRISON, NJ — Red Bull New York’s kids are more than alright; they’re becoming a force to be reckoned with.
For a second straight week to start the 2026 MLS campaign, New York’s trio of “Baby Bulls” — 17-year-old forward Julian Hall, 17-year-old left-back Matthew Dos Santos, and 16-year-old Adri Mehmeti — provided the decisive moment in their side’s 1-0 home-opening victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Off a short corner in the 53rd minute, Dos Santos sent in a cross from the right wing into the box, which was flicked on by the head of Mehmeti to the head of Hall, who generated enough power on his header to bounce the chance past the diving US international goalkeeper, Matt Turner.
Hall remains the only source of New York’s goals this season, as his brace fueled a 2-1 season-opening win last week down in Orlando.
This had always been a highly-touted talent, but consider this the arrival.
“There’s a lot of football there,” head coach Michael Bradley said. “There’s a lot of potential. This is the starting point.”
That starting point is also shrouded in significant league history. Matchday 1 saw Hall, Mehmeti, and Dos Santos become the first trio aged 17 or younger to start an MLS match.
Saturday’s second-half goal ensured that Hall became the youngest player in MLS history, and the only teenager, to score in each of his team’s first two games to start a season. It was also the first time in league history that three players aged 17 or younger contributed to a single goal.
“They’re really talented young players… We’re really happy with the progress that they’re making. They’ve shown how good they are,” Bradley said. “We have to keep pushing them. With any young player, not every weekend is going to be perfect, not every game is going to be their best, but we’re going to continue to find the right ways to help these guys and make sure they continue to take the next step.”
Mehmeti, who assisted on Hall’s second goal in Orlando, became the second-youngest player ever to record an assist in each of the opening two matches of a season.
“We’ve had that connection for a long time, so I’m just happy we’re able to show our connection on a big stage,” Hall, who came up through the Red Bull ranks alongside Mehmeti, said.
It appears that for now, though, the Baby Bulls will only be down to two. Dos Santos’ current contract is with the second team, and each of his first two starts has capped the two short-term contracts that Red Bull could use to have him play with the first team.
Either they amend his contract to allow him to stay with the first team, or he must return to the reserve squad, which is the more likely option. Red Bull brought in 19-year-old Belgian left-back Joyeux Masanka Bungi on a half-season loan from RB Leipzig and signed 20-year-old Colombian center-back Julian Bazan to potentially flex Dylan Nealis back out wide.
Bradley and Red Bull’s brass will sit down early this week to decide Dos Santos’ fate.
“I’d love to stay with the first team and continue to build what we have,” Dos Santos said. “Stay starting, on the bench, contributing, whatever I can to help the team.”
