Teenage forward, Julian Hall, made Major League Soccer (MLS) history after becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition during Red Bull New York’s 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew.
Hall, aged 18 years and 50 days, scored twice in the first half before completing his hat-trick after the break at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The three goals took the striker’s tally to nine league goals in 13 appearances this season and saw him surpass the previous record set by Ricardo Pepi, who was 18 years and 196 days old when he scored a hat-trick for FC Dallas against LA Galaxy in 2021.
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The American forward made his MLS debut at the age of 15 in 2023 and has represented the United States at the under-15 and under-17 levels. He is also eligible to play for Poland internationally.
Reacting after the match, Hall admitted the achievement meant a lot to him.
He said he “got kind of emotional” after learning he had broken the record.
“It just makes me think about all the times I was working so hard to make memories like this,” he added.
Red Bull head coach Michael Bradley praised the teenager’s attitude and development.
Bradley said he has enjoyed “every second” of working with Hall and described him as “a great kid”.
“Nothing’s going in his head. He comes in every day ready to work, ready to train, ready to listen. He has great personality,” Bradley added.
The win moved Red Bull to sixth place in the Eastern Conference on 18 points, level with New York City ahead of Saturday’s derby clash.
Elsewhere in the MLS Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami defeated Cincinnati 5-3 to move second on the table, two points behind leaders Nashville.
Messi believed he had completed the 61st hat-trick of his career late in the game, but MLS later ruled the effort an own goal by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
The Argentine has now recorded 11 goals and four assists in 12 league appearances this season.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored his first MLS goal during Philadelphia Union’s 4-3 defeat to Orlando City.
“Despite it not being the result we wanted, I’m grateful to have scored my first MLS goal. You fans deserve more, and you will get more,” Sullivan wrote on Instagram.
