Hall, 18, becomes youngest to score MLS hat-trick

Breaking news from the world of sport: Hall, 18, becomes youngest to score MLS hat-trickImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Julian Hall was born in New York but is of Polish descent through his motherByLorraine McKennaBBC Sport JournalistPublished11 minutes agoTeenage forward Julian Hall made Major League Soccer history by becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in Red Bull New York's 3-2 win over Columbus Crew. Hall - aged 18 years and 50 days - scored twice in the first half and once in the second at Sports Illustrated Stadium to take his tally to nine league goals in 13 appearances this season. Former FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi was the previous record holder - aged 18 years and 196 days when he scored a hat-trick against LA Galaxy in 2021.

American Hall, who made his MLS debut at the age of 15 in 2023, has been capped by the United States at under-15 and under-17 levels - and is also eligible to represent Poland internationally. After the game, Hall said he "got kind of emotional" when told about his new hat-trick record. "It just makes me think about all the times I was working so hard to make memories like this," he added.

Match Details

Head coach Michael Bradley said he has enjoyed "every second" of working with Hall, calling the teenager "a great kid". Bradley added: "Nothing's going in his head. He comes in every day ready to work, ready to train, ready to listen.

He has great personality. " Red Bull are sixth in the Eastern Conference, level on 18 points with New York City - with the local rivals facing each other on Saturday (00:30 BST, Sunday). Messi remains top MLS earner with salary of £18.

5m Published1 day agoAlso in the Eastern Conference, Lionel Messi scored two goals and provided an assist as Inter Miami secured a 5-3 victory over Cincinnati to go second in the table, two points behind leaders Nashville. The 38-year-old forward thought he had scored the 61st hat-trick of his career late on, but the MLS attributed the 89th-minute strike as an own goal by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano. It said the ball had rebounded off the post and was not initially crossing the line until Celentano made accidental contact, effectively turning the ball into his own net.

Reactions and Expectations

Argentine Messi now has 11 goals and four assists in 12 league appearances for Miami this season, while his overall career statistics stand at 909 goals and 411 assists. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored his first MLS goal in bottom side Philadelphia Union's 4-3 defeat by Orlando City. Sullivan, who became the youngest ever MLS player two years ago, was a first-half substitute and scored in the 75th minute.

"Despite it not being the result we wanted, I'm grateful to have scored my first MLS goal," he wrote on Instagram. , external"You fans deserve more and you will get more.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.