Red Bull New York teenager Julian Hall has blossomed into a complete forward under the guidance of head coach Michael Bradley and New York’s technical staff.
The promising 18-year-old has appeared in all 12 matches of the 2026 MLS season, scoring six goals and supplying two assists. But to focus solely on his offensive traits would be overlooking the total package that Hall brings to every match.
South Ward Central asked Bradley during Monday’s press conference if he uses the models of modern pressing forwards like former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino and current Atletico Madrid frontman Julián Alvarez as examples for Hall to study and incorporate into his evolving game.
Roberto Firmino, Julián Alvarez, Ousmane Dembélé Serve as Models for Hall
“Yeah, absolutely,” Bradley replied. “You know, I’ve used both those examples with you guys before in terms of Julian. Firmino, in his time at Liverpool, the work that he did playing in between [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mané, his ability to get goals and be dangerous, but also the work that he did against the ball to chase and press and come underneath and really make things difficult on the other teams.
Bradley also cited 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé as another reference point for Hall to follow.
“Julián Alvarez, another good example. Obviously, you look at a guy like Dembélé and what he has been, what Luis Enrique has been able to do with him at PSG and obviously Julian Hall’s profile is not the exact same as any of those guys. With all of your young players, you’re always trying to help them connect the dots between the qualities that they have, their profile and players at the top level and what that looks like and how they can ultimately take who they are as players and make sure that their qualities can hold up as the games get harder and as the level goes up.”
Matthew Dos Santos Highlights Hall’s Progress
Defender Matthew Dos Santos has witnessed the growth of Hall’s abilities, having played alongside him previously in MLS Next Pro.
Dos Santos is currently part of an exciting wave of teenagers like Hall and Adri Mehmeti who have made a successful transition to the demands of Major League Soccer.
“Jules has been really important for us up top,” Dos Santos said. “Especially with the goals, but also the pressing and setting the first impulse for us, and the defensive work has been amazing this year. The past couple of years as well. Playing with him for so long, you see the development he’s had. This year, he’s taken big strides.”
Hall will continue to be a focal point in the Red Bull attack and impact the game on both sides of the ball as the ninth-place Red Bulls look to climb the Eastern Conference standings before the 2026 FIFA World Cup break.
This past Saturday’s 3-1 road victory over Chicago Fire FC was an encouraging step in the right direction. Next up will be a home meeting with the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, followed by a renewal of the Hudson River Derby on Saturday against rivals New York City FC, which will also be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The important stretch before the break concludes with a visit to Sporting Kansas City on May 23.
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