"While opening night is usually an opportunity to field a healthy, full-strength lineup, the US men's national team legend called on the kids to start New York's MLS opener on Saturday night in Orlando. Rather than last year's leading scorer and former Bayern Munich man Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Bradley penciled in 17-year-old Julian Hall as the central striker. In the midfield, 16-year-old Adri Mehmet, fresh off an offseason stint training with German powerhouses RB Leipzig, got the call, while 17-year-old Matthew Dos Santos slotted in at left back."
"It was the first time in MLS history that a team had ever started three players 17 or younger in the same match, and it paid off. Hall's first-half brace, which featured an assist on his second from Memheti, paced Red Bull to a season-opening 2-1 victory over Orlando City on Saturday night as good a start as the Bradley era could have had."
"We're all really grateful for the coaching staff trusting us, Hall said. Me, Adri, and Matty came through the academy and fought so hard to get to this position. It was an amazing opportunity, and we're happy to get the three points."
Michael Bradey opened his Red Bulls tenure by starting three teenagers from the academy, including 17-year-old striker Julian Hall, 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmet, and 17-year-old left back Matthew Dos Santos. The lineup marked the first time in MLS history a team started three players aged 17 or younger. Hall scored twice in the first half, with his second goal assisted by Mehmeti, to secure a 2-1 victory over Orlando City. Hall's opener followed a build involving Emil Forsberg and Cade Cowell, and a deflected corner prompted Mehmeti to intervene leading to the second goal.
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