New York Red Bulls use legal loophole as 15-year-old Julian Hall makes season debut vs Inter Miami

New York Red Bulls teenager Julian Hall was able to make his first league appearance of the season on Saturday after the MLS club found a legal loophole.

The teenager, who became the second youngest player to play in the MLS, when he featured against Chicago Fire last year, has struggled for first-team minutes of late.

But he isn't to blame. Hall has barely featured for Sandro Schwarz's side because New Jersey child labor laws state that anyone under the age of 16 is not allowed to work past 6pm.

Some states have made exceptions for athletes and other professions to bypass the law but New Jersey isn't one of them.

And as a result of being based in Harrison, the youngster has missed most of their games this season – despite his reputation as one of Major League Soccer's biggest talents.

However, that all changed on Saturday after the game against Inter Miami was schedule for 2pm. The 15-year-old was named on the bench before being introduced in the 79th minute.

It was a memorable afternoon for Hall and the New York Red Bulls, who made light work of Luis Suarez and co.

Lewis Morgan bagged a hat-trick for Schwarz's side, while Wikelman Carmona put the icing on top of the cake as New York continued their strong start to the season.

New York Red Bulls 15 year old homegrown Julian Hall has been unable to be on the bench often this season cus of NJ child labor laws. Kids under 16 can’t “work” past 6pm.

Today he’s on the bench cus it’s a 2pm kick off. Subbing in now for his season debut. pic.twitter.com/Yb9cDEpY9a

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 23, 2024

Hall, meanwhile, is attracting interest from some of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

New York Red Bulls academy director Sean McCafferty knows the club have a special talent on their hands.

"Julian is one of those players that, no matter what we put in front of him, he managed to have an impact and he managed to adapt," he told GOAL.

"We'd be lying, though, if we said we'd expected him to adapt to first-team training as quickly as he has."

He added:" The best compliment I can give him is that every time you put him into an environment where you think he's going to struggle, he finds a way to make it work."