Julian Hall Honors Polish Heritage Wearing Matronymic Name Zakrzewski on USMNT Jersey

When Julian Hall made his U.S. men’s national team debut, the number on his jersey read Zakrzewski—a name few on view initially recognized.

He chose to display his matronymic middle name on the back of his kit instead of his surname, a subtle nod to his Polish roots. Raised in New York by an American father and a Polish mother, Hall has carried Zakrzewski on his shirts throughout every senior assignment since turning 15 with Red Bull New York in September 2023.

His national‑team debut proved unforgettable; off‑the‑bench scorer Julian Hall secured both the win over Peru and added an assist, becoming the third‑youngest player in the modern era to log an assisting pass for the United States. The victory marked one of eleven U.S. players who earned their first caps against Peru during head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, ushering in a generational transition among the squad’s talent pool. Teammate Justin Ellis opened the scoring early, while world‑class forwards Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter completed the tally.

Hall arrived with the USMNT call‑up amidst a breakthrough campaign with the Red Bulls, where he has accumulated thirteen goals and three assists across all competitions.

Hall’s international eligibility

Because of his dual heritage, Hall remains eligible to represent either the United States or Poland and has not yet committed officially. In an interview with the New York Post, he explained that his future remained “definitely not solidified,” even after being named to the United States squad, and noted that the Polish Football Association had previously approached him. Pol Kuleśa met Hall’s mother, Agnieszka, in New York last spring and presented her with a Polonia‑branded shirt bearing Zakrzewski on the back, later sharing the image on social media.

In the days leading up to his first USMNT camp, Hall clarified that Poland had yet no word regarding upcoming match commitments, and he emphasized that his sole focus was maximizing impact for the U.S. side.

“No,” he said last week in response to the question of whether Poland had reached out. “I’m grateful for the chance to play for the U.S., and whenever I’m there I’ll do everything possible to make an impact and perform well.”

Although still limited by youth caps, Hall is not bound by senior‑team limits for Saturday’s triumph, though he could earn his first official appearance—either after three senior selections or in his initial competitive venue.

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