Julian Hall, just 17 years old, scored two first-half goals to lead Red Bull New York to a 2-1 victory over Orlando City on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. This win marked the beginning of the 2026 MLS season and the debut for new head coach Michael Bradley, who opted to rely heavily on youthful talent in his inaugural match on the sidelines.
Bradley’s confidence in the team’s young players was evident, as alongside Hall, 16-year-old midfielder Adri Mehmeti and 17-year-old defender Matthew Dos Santos started the match. The Red Bulls set the pace immediately with aggressive, high-pressure play that controlled the tempo from the opening whistle.
Red Bulls Dominate Early with High-Pressure Play and Quick Scoring
From the outset, New York’s relentless pressing created multiple opportunities, ultimately paying off in just the seventh minute. Cade Cowell advanced down the right wing and linked with Emil Forsberg, who outmaneuvered goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau before setting up Hall for an easy finish into an open net. Hall nearly added a second goal four minutes later, but an offside call nullified his score.
Undeterred, Hall found the back of the net again in the 40th minute after a corner from Forsberg triggered a chaotic scramble inside the box. Debutant Mehmeti was quick to react and sent a low cross to Hall, who finished with precision, extending New York’s lead to 2-0 as the teams headed into halftime.
At the break, the Red Bulls had asserted dominance, with Orlando City managing only two attempts compared to New York’s 13, showcasing the effectiveness of Bradley’s high-energy, youth-focused strategy in the early stages.
Orlando City Resists in Second Half, But Horvath Keeps Red Bulls in Lead
The second half saw Orlando City making adjustments, with two substitutions injecting new life into their attack. Griffin Dorsey appeared to reduce the deficit in the 50th minute with what would have been a debut goal, but the effort was ruled out for handball. Despite New York’s defense becoming more vulnerable, the team remained dangerous on the counterattack, led by swift transitions involving Cowell and Jorge Ruvalcaba.
The remainder of the second half was tightly contested, with both goalkeepers pulling off remarkable saves in an intense back-and-forth. Ethan Horvath, making his MLS debut in goal for the Red Bulls, was instrumental in preserving the lead, delivering four crucial saves under pressure.
Orlando finally breached the Red Bulls’ defense in stoppage time when Tiago scored, but the late goal served only as a consolation. New York held firm to close out the match 2-1, securing valuable points in the opening game of the season.
New Coach Bradley’s Vision Begins to Take Shape on the Pitch
This victory illustrated the tactical approach Michael Bradley intends to adopt, blending relentless pressing and rapid transitions with a belief in emerging talent. Julian Hall’s brace will undoubtedly attract attention, but it was Horvath’s commanding presence between the posts that earned him the player of the match honors, highlighting the importance of a strong defensive foundation.
With this positive start, the Red Bulls will aim to sustain their momentum as they prepare for their home opener against the New England Revolution on February 28. The youthful core, combined with Bradley’s determined leadership, promises an exciting season ahead for Red Bull New York.
