USMNT at risk of losing Julian Hall to Poland as rising MLS star comments on international future

A U.S. youth international for both the Under-15s and Under-17s at stages in his career, the rising star has yet to appear for Mauricio Pochettino’s senior team despite his impressive form of late.

Poland, however, appears to be going all out to convince Hall to switch allegiances, with the nation’s soccer federation president, Cezary Kulesza, having recently traveled to the U.S. to speak with Hall’s mom.

Accompanying a photo of him with Hall’s mom holding a Poland jersey, with her maiden name Zakrzewski on the back - which the youngster also wears for New York - Kulesza wrote on X, “I met in New York with Julian Zakrzewski Hall's mom, Ms. Agnieszka. It's impressive how she supports her son on his soccer journey.

“We were of the same opinion – that the surname Zakrzewski looks beautiful on a white-and-red jersey.”

Quizzed on Poland’s obvious interest in him as their next star center forward, Hall recently told Apple TV, “I gotta give my mom props for that, I mean, she was born there, and I have that part of me, of course. And I'm open to everything.

“Of course, I appreciate my Polish roots, but I'm also appreciative of my American roots as well, so yeah, we'll see what the future holds.”

This isn’t the first time Hall has discussed deciding which nation to represent, having told amNY in 2024, “Of course, there’s thought going into it now. But playing for whatever country would be an honor for me. Representing any country would be an honor.”

Given Poland’s clear interest in Hall, it may be wise if U.S. Soccer sees him as a part of its future to attempt to call him up sooner rather than later if they haven’t already. In fact, there is arguably no better time than the present to do just that, given that the USMNT has automatically qualified for this summer’s FIFA World Cup as it is being held, in large part, on home soil, while Poland failed to make the cut.

What’s more, the USMNT is in need of options in the position, given the recent season and World Cup ending injury sustained by Derby County forward Patrick Agyemang, who was largely expected to play a backup role to Folarin Balogun of AS Monaco this summer.