By: Nicholas St. Cyr
AMNY.com
It’s been a historic week for Red Bull New York teenage couple Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. Not only were they called up to their first training camp with the United States Men’s Senior National Team (USMNT), but they also played a key role in their first victory in the “Hudson River Derby” against NYCFC.
Mehmeti was part of a formidable Red Bull midfield performance, and Hall’s intensity allowed him to take advantage of a NYCFC error to score the winning goal in the match that ended 1-0 in the Bronx.
After Friday’s game, the NY Red Bulls entered the fight for the playoffs, and both teenagers join 10 other MLS players in coach Mauricio Pochettino’s first call-up with the US team since the 2026 World Cup.
“I’ve told them to go, be themselves, show their personality and enjoy every moment,” said Red Bull coach and former USMNT player Michael Bradley.
«They have earned the opportunity to go and be there; They have earned the opportunity to begin the process of earning respect and their place on that team. And, like everything in life or football, it won’t be perfect. “It will not be a direct and unobstructed path to the top.”
«There will be days or moments when things are not perfect or easy, but they are two very talented young players. They both have an excellent mentality. And, I repeat, they have earned this opportunity; “I am very excited to think that, in the coming weeks, I will be able to sit on the couch and watch the national team with Julian and Adri Mehmeti,” said Bradley.
#USMNT in NYC. 🗽 pic.twitter.com/fDCHhOvVFq
— US Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 19, 2026
Adri Mehmeti, 17, and Julian Hall, 18, join a strong group of other players called up for the first time, including 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, a Philadelphia Union standout.
“Yeah, I mean, sharing this moment with Julian is great,” Mehmeti said. «And with all the other young people who join… it will be great to see how they play; Obviously, we’ve faced some of them before. So knowing their character and being able to really play with them will be a very good thing; See how our football fits together… it’s fantastic that they trust young people. I know that each of them will arrive ready to work and learn.
“It’s amazing,” Hall added. «I grew up playing against a lot of these guys, and it’s great to see them all getting their first call-up too. “I’m very excited to share the field with them.”
The United States national team (USMNT) will play 4 games in the next three weeks – against Peru, Chile, Canada and rival Mexico – as part of its preparation for the CONCACAF Nations League in November.
Coach Pochettino, faced with the challenge of opening a new cycle in the US team
