Julian Hall’s international future remains undecided as the young forward weighs his options between the United States and Poland.
The 18-year-old New York Red Bulls player is eligible to represent Poland through his mother and has been consistently pursued by the Polish Football Association.
At the same time, Hall has been involved with the United States at youth level and recently received his first senior USMNT call-up under Mauricio Pochettino.
Hall’s situation recently became a topic on ‘Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard’, where Donovan made his feelings clear on the situation.
Landon Donovan Addresses Julian Hall’s USMNT Dilemma
The 44-year-old said he could understand why Hall had been hesitant to make a decision as he laid out two possible reasons behind the teenager’s approach.
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The former US international pointed out Hall’s connection to his Polish heritage and the importance that may hold for him and his family. Donovan also suggested that Hall could be keeping Poland as an option in case he does not establish himself with the United States.
“I understand where Julian Hall is coming from. I do. If I take myself out, put myself in his shoes,” he said.
Donovan also acknowledged that Poland has been actively pursuing Hall, giving the youngster another international pathway to consider.
“I have not been in that situation because the US wanted me, so I didn’t have to think about going to play for Canada,” he further added, referring to his own career.
While Donovan could understand Hall’s position, the former U.S. star admitted that he has become increasingly frustrated with the way players can navigate international eligibility.
“I’m just really struggling with this whole way the rule is, the way players sort of navigate it and play one side off the other. I’m sick of it.”
Donovan believes FIFA should provide clarity around the rules rather than allowing players to remain in situations where their international future can stay uncertain.
“I’m just really struggling with this whole way the rule is, the way players sort of navigate it and play one side off the other. I’m sick of it. It’s your ***** national team. And I can’t understand why it’s able to be so muddy from a FIFA standpoint. Just bring some clarity to it because you don’t get to pick and choose when you want to play for which national team.”
Hall is now part of the USMNT squad for the upcoming friendlies where they will face Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
The teenager also became the youngest to score a hat-trick in the MLS earlier this year in a 3-2 win against Columbus Crew.
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