When forward Julian Hall made his US men’s national team debut, he put a name on his jersey that his new audience didn’t recognize: Zakrzewski.
Hall had his patronymic middle name on his back rather than his last, a nod to his Polish heritage. Twelve years old and born in New York to an American father and a Polish mother and Zakrzewski on the back of his jersey for his university career, which began with his senior debut for the Red Bull New York at the age of 15 in Sept. 2013
He had a memorable debut as the manager of the national team, scoring and assisting off the bench in the USMNT’s 4-1 win over Peru and becoming the third-fewest player to register an assist for the US team in the modern era. One of the 11 players who earned their first national cap against Peru, as head coach Mauricio Pochettino oversees a generational change in the national pool of players. Fellow teenager Justin Ellis opened the scoring in the fourth minute, while World Cup players Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter rounded out the scoring.
Hall joined the USMNT for his mid-season break with the Red Bulls, scoring 13 goals and three assists across all competitions.
Hall of international eligibility
Hall’s legacy means he’s been chosen to represent both the US and Poland, and he’s yet to formally commit to both national teams. In an interview with the New York Post this month, Hall said his future is “definitely not solidified,” despite receiving a call-up to the USMNT, and the Polish Football Association has already tried to recruit the player. President Cezary Kulesza had met Agnieszka Hallis’ mother in New York in April and presented her in Poland with Jersey Zakrzewski, later posting a photo on social media.
He reported to his first USMNT camp a few days ago, although Hall said he was not meeting Poland for the upcoming questions, and was solely focused on performing for the US team.
“No,” he said last week in response to whether or not Poland had continued. “I just wanted to take this opportunity that presented itself with the US, and when I go there, I can reach as much as I can and do well.”
Hall, who has only represented the USMNT at the youth level, was not cap-tied for his appearance in Saturday’s victory, but after three games he can play for the senior national team or in his first official competitive appearance.