"Behind a first-half brace from 17-year-old Julian Hall, Red Bull New York opened their 2026 MLS season with a 2-1 victory over Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night. In his managerial debut, head coach Michael Bradley put his trust in youth, and through 90 minutes, that faith paid off. Hall was also joined in the starting lineup by 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti and 17-year-old Matthew Dos Santos."
"From the opening whistle, the Red Bulls' high intensity would set the tone for the match. A constant wave of high-pressure and direct attacks put Orlando under constant pressure. The early pressure proved fruitful, as the Red Bulls scored seven minutes into the match. Cade Cowell drove forward on the right-hand flank and found Emil Forsberg, who rounded goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau and squared the ball for Hall to finish into an open net."
"Hall struck again in the 40th minute after a Forsberg corner led to a scramble in the box. Mehmeti, making his debut, was first to react and found Hall with a low cross. He finished from close range, giving the Red Bulls a commanding 2-0 lead at the break. By halftime, the Red Bulls had complete control of the game, limiting Orlando to just two attempts, compared to their 13."
Red Bulls New York defeated Orlando City 2-1 to open the 2026 MLS season, powered by a first-half brace from 17-year-old Julian Hall. Head coach Michael Bradley started several teenagers, including debutant 16-year-old Adri Mehmeti and 17-year-old Matthew Dos Santos, and emphasized high-pressure, direct attacking play. The early intensity produced a seventh-minute goal from a Cowell–Forsberg build-up and a 40th-minute finish after a Forsberg corner scramble and Mehmeti's low cross. By halftime New York led 2-0 and limited Orlando to two attempts versus their 13. The second half grew more even, and Orlando had a disallowed debut goal in the 50th minute.
Read at www.amny.com
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