Teenage stars from Red Bulls catching the eye of European clubs

Julianne Hall’s Mother Visits as World Cup Interest Grows

This week, Julianne Hall had a special visit from her mother.

At just 18, Hall, a player with the Red Bulls, has caught the eye of Poland, the country where her mother was born.

The president of Poland’s soccer federation is now keen on getting Hall onboard.

Cézary Kuleza shared a photo on social media of himself with Hall’s mother, proudly showcasing a Polish jersey. “We’re on the same page,” he wrote, commenting on how stunning she looked in the red and white uniform.

While Kuleza’s trip to New York may not immediately result in a contract for Hall, her teammate, 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti, is also drawing attention. He can represent Albania through his parents, though the U.S. and Albania both missed out on the 2026 World Cup.

It’s perhaps a tad early to speculate about Hall and Mehmeti joining the U.S. World Cup team this summer, but Kuleza’s actions suggest that U.S. Soccer might need to strategize better moving forward, especially considering how both players have performed this season.

The young duo have become integral parts of coach Michael Bradley’s lineup, recently starting in their first MLS match, which resulted in a 2-1 victory over Orlando City. They also faced off against NYCFC in the US Open Cup last Wednesday.

If Hall or Mehmeti, neither of whom have played at the highest level yet, make it into Pochettino’s squad, they’d be joining NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freeze, who is anticipated to get a starting position this summer.

Hall has already netted eight goals across competitions, while Mehmeti has provided three assists in league matches. Both have experience with U.S. youth teams, and Mehmeti even played for Albania’s Under-15 side. So, it seems likely that recruitment, especially from Europe, will ramp up before long.

Currently, they have a bit of time to weigh their options. Bradley recently advised Hall to trust her instincts, especially in light of Kuleza’s interest.

The rising tension and excitement surrounding the pair extends beyond the soccer executives attempting to lure them away from American organizations. Hall and Mehmeti were recently highlighted in a piece by the New York Times, which detailed their immigrant parents’ journeys to the United States and their ongoing ties to their heritage.

This young talent, much like Tyler Adams before them, could leverage their time at Red Bulls as a launch pad for success in both Europe and the U.S. men’s national team.