Julian Hall is off to a flying start with the U.S. men's national team, scoring in each of his first two caps.
The 18-year-old found the net in his debut against Peru before doing so again in his second cap against Chile. He is the youngest player in USMNT history to score in both of his first appearances for the team.
But you won't see "Hall" on the back of the striker's jersey. Instead, the New York Red Bulls star wears "Zakrzewski" above the No. 19 he's worn with the USMNT.
Hall, whose full name is Julian Zakrzewski Hall, was born in the United States to an American father and Polish mother. He chooses to wear "Zakrzewski" on the back of his jersey as a tribute to his mother, Agnes Zakrzewska.
Hall also wears "Zakrzewski" on the back of his kit
with the New York Red Bulls.
The striker has said he is proud of his Polish roots and is still open to playing for the Poland national team, even after his first USMNT call-up.
"I think it's definitely not solidified for me," Hall told The New York Post after receiving his first senior call for the United States.
"I appreciate the opportunity and I'm going to do as much as I can to make an impact, but I'm definitely still open to my Polish side. That's a side that I cherish a lot, especially because my mom is from there. I wouldn't say it's solidified."
Poland has made no secret of its desire to recruit Hall. Earlier this year, Poland's soccer federation president Cezary Kulesza traveled to the U.S. to meet with Hall's mother.
"I met in New York with Julian Zakrzewski Hall's mom, Ms. Agnieszka," Kulesza said on X. "It's impressive how she supports her son on his soccer journey.
Spotkałem się w Nowym Jorku z mamą Juliana Zakrzewskiego Halla, panią Agnieszką. To imponujące jak wspiera swojego syna w piłkarskiej drodze :) Byliśmy tego samego zdania - że nazwisko Zakrzewski pięknie prezentuje się na biało-czerwonej koszulce 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/GO2CT7BB5v
— Cezary Kulesza (@Czarek_Kulesza) April 28, 2026
"We were of the same opinion – that the surname Zakrzewski looks beautiful on a white-and-red jersey."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does USMNT forward Julian Hall wear 'Zakrzewski' on his jersey?
