Michael Bradley keeps trusting the young players in Red Bulls’ victory.

Youth Movements at Red Bull New York

The meaning of young talent is evolving for Red Bull New York.

When Michael Bradley started as head coach of the MLS club, expectations were that he would play younger players. But hardly anyone anticipated he would begin three players who couldn’t even vote yet.

In fact, the Red Bulls made history by starting three players under 17 in their season opener against Orlando City. Julian Hall (17), Adri Mehmeti (16), and Matthew dos Santos (17) were all in the starting lineup.

Bradley was pleased with the outcome, which saw these young players contribute to a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday.

This strategy paid off, as Dos Santos made a significant play to set up Mehmeti, who assisted Hall in scoring his third goal of the season.

Bradley clearly trusts his young players, willing to put them in challenging situations for their growth.

“We want people who are here every day to embrace an idea and follow it wholeheartedly,” Bradley explained. “Throughout preseason, they showed promise, and as we approached our first game, I felt they earned their place on the field.”

Hall, who has caught the attention of European clubs, further proved his worth by scoring twice in the opening match against Orlando. His follow-up performance included strong shots along with his lone goal.

Mehmeti, hailing from Staten Island, trained in Germany with RB Leipzig last year and has been acknowledged for his bold play in the midfield. Meanwhile, dos Santos has made a name for himself in the Red Bulls’ defense, especially following the recent departure of Noah Eir to Bristol City.

“It boosts our confidence,” Hall said, reflecting on Bradley’s belief in the younger players. “The game in Orlando went well, and Michael had a solid strategy for us.”

Part of why the rookie MLS coach feels comfortable is his close connection with many promising players. After taking the reins of the second team last season, Bradley already coached Mehmeti and dos Santos at Red Bulls II.

Hall also had a stint with the second team while Bradley was head coach, which has likely accelerated the trust-building process.

“I spent a lot of time with them last year,” Bradley noted. “I got to see their quality and attitude daily. When you challenge them, they really improve. They pick things up quickly after just a bit of guidance.”

About Hall, he remarked, “There’s a world of potential. That’s just the starting point.”

The Red Bulls face a dilemma regarding dos Santos, who has signed two short-term deals. The club now has to decide whether to adjust his contract to a full MLS arrangement or return him to the second team.

Bradley indicated a decision would be made soon. It remains to be seen if he made a significant enough impact for the front office to keep him on board.