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Cavan Sullivan

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Cavan Sullivan
Sullivan with the Philadelphia Union in 2025
Personal information
Full name Cavan Ayaz Sullivan[1]
Date of birth (2009-09-28) September 28, 2009 (age 17)
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Philadelphia Union
Number 6
Youth career
2018–2020 FC Delco
2020–2024 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024 Philadelphia Union II 2 (0)
2024– Philadelphia Union 41 (7)
2024–2025 → Philadelphia Union II (loan) 30 (10)
International career‡
2023–2024 United States U15 9 (5)
2024– United States U17 12 (4)
2026– United States U19 1 (1)
2026– United States 3 (1)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Under-15 Championship
Winner2023 Dominican Republic
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 03:39, October 18, 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 04:05, October 4, 2026 (UTC)

Cavan Ayaz Sullivan (born September 28, 2009) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He is regarded as one of the best young players in the world.[2][3]

In March 2024, Sullivan became the most expensive homegrown player in Major League Soccer history, signing with the Philadelphia Union until 2028. At age 14, he became the youngest player to debut in a league match for a major American or Canadian professional sports team. For the next two years, he alternated between the club's reserve and senior teams. In the second half of the 2026 season, Sullivan established himself as a regular with the senior team at age 16, becoming the youngest player to win the MLS Player of the Month award by more than three years and breaking the league record for the most goal contributions by a teenager.

Representing the United States at various youth levels, he won the 2023 CONCACAF Under-15 Championship with the under-15 team. Sullivan made his senior national team debut at age 16 in September 2026, becoming the youngest goalscorer in national team history only one week later.

Early life

[edit]

Cavan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4][5]

As a youth player, Sullivan joined the youth academy of American side Philadelphia Union in 2020. He helped the club win the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup.[6]

Club career

[edit]

2024–2025: Debut and development

[edit]

On March 24, 2024, Sullivan made his professional debut, coming on in the 56th-minute in an MLS Next Pro match for Philadelphia Union II.[7] Sullivan provided an assist in the 86th-minute in a 2–1 victory for Philadelphia.[8] On May 9, 2024, he signed a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union until 2028, making him the fifth-youngest player to sign a first-team contract in Major League Soccer history.[9] The deal was the most expensive homegrown deal in MLS history.[10][11] Sullivan and his family confirmed to ESPN that the contract has a clause that calls for a transfer to Premier League club Manchester City once he turns 18, with the club's scouts describing him as the "most exciting 14-year old in the world."[12][13]

Sullivan made his Major League Soccer debut for the Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024. At 14 years and 293 days old, Sullivan became the youngest player to appear in a league match for a major professional sports league in the United States and Canada, breaking Freddy Adu's record set in 2004 by 13 days.[14][15] He mostly played for the Philadelphia Union II reserve team to develop in the 2024 MLS Next Pro season, finishing with eight goal contributions.[16] On July 23, he played for the MLS Next East team in the MLS Next All-Star Game and was named the most valuable player for his goal and assist in the East's 4–2 victory.[17] He returned to the Union II in the 2025 MLS Next Pro season, gaining 11 goal contributions in Next Pro before returning to the first team as a substitute option.[16]

2026: Breakthrough season

[edit]

On February 26, 2026, at age 16, Sullivan scored two goals, his first for the Union, and made two assists in a 7–0 win over Defence Force in round one of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, winning Man of the Match.[18] He scored his first league goal for Philadelphia in a 4–3 loss to Orlando City on May 13, coming on as a substitute.[19] All of this led to him being ranked #39 on the 2026 Goal NXGN list of the 50 best teenage wonderkids in the world in March.[2]

Becoming a regular starter for the senior team in the second half of the 2026 season following the summer 2026 FIFA World Cup window, he scored and earned an assist on August 9 in a 3–1 win over Necaxa in the 2026 Leagues Cup.[20] On August 16, he added two assists in a 3–2 win over New York City FC.[21] Sullivan received a red card on August 19 near the end of a 2–2 draw with Inter Miami. He became involved in a scuffle after his older brother, Quinn, was stepped on by Miami player Ian Fray.[22] Five days later, however, Sullivan's red card and an accompanying fine were unanimously rescinded by the league's Independent Review Panel.[23] In the following match against Austin FC on August 22, Sullivan scored his team's only goal in a 1–1 draw.[24] He scored in his third consecutive game on September 5 against CF Montréal, breaking Freddy Adu's league record of 11 goal contributions (goals and assists) by a 16 year old. Sullivan also became the first teenager in league history to have a goal contribution in five successive matches.[25][26][27] On September 13, he scored his first brace, tallying two goals in a 5–0 victory over San Diego FC.[28] He scored again in a 4–3 comeback victory over Sporting Kansas City on September 19, giving him six goals and two assists in a string of six games.[29] On September 30, Sullivan was named MLS Player of the Month for September, becoming the youngest-ever player to win the award at 17 years and two days old.[30][31] On October 2, he was headlined on the 2026 The Guardian Next Generation list of the 60 best young talents in the world.[3]

On October 10, returning from his first international break, he created an assist in the 2–1 win over Real Salt Lake, tying the league record of 20 goal contributions by a teenager.[32] In the following game, on October 14, he tallied his 21st goal contribution with an assist against Chicago Fire, claiming the record for himself. Despite this achievement, after the match Sullivan was disappointed with his performance, saying "I played sort of terrible tonight."[33] On October 20, Sullivan was named the top player in the league's annual 22 Under 22 list, and became the youngest player to win the award.[34]

International career

[edit]

Sullivan is eligible to represent the United States, Germany, and Bangladesh.[35][36] He has stated that playing for the United States was his childhood dream.[37] Representing the United States at several youth levels, he helped the under-15 team win the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.[38]

Sullivan earned his first senior callup by coach Mauricio Pochettino in September 2026, for the first four matches of the 2030 World Cup cycle.[39][40] At 16 years and 363 days old, he made his senior team debut on September 26 in a 4–1 win over Peru, making him the second youngest American player to debut in the modern era since Freddy Adu in 2006 and the fourth youngest in United States national team history.[41][42] One week later on October 3, in their 3–0 win over rivals Mexico, Sullivan became the youngest American goalscorer in history at 17 years and five days old by intercepting a pass from goalkeeper Raúl Rangel and chipping him from distance; on only his third appearance for the national team, breaking the previous age record that Mathis Albert had set just five days earlier in the preceding game.[43]

Style of play

[edit]

A left-footed player, Sullivan is primarily deployed as a midfielder and winger. He is known for his vision, dribbling, and directness.[44][45]

Personal life

[edit]

His father, Brendan, played for five clubs over a six-year professional career in the A-League, now known as USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. Prior to that, Brendan was an All-Ivy League selection at the University of Pennsylvania and before that starred at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, where he later coached. His paternal grandfather, Larry Sullivan, was a Vietnam War veteran who received the Purple Heart from wounded fingers, whom returned to the United States to coach soccer. His mother, Heike, also played NCAA Division I soccer and captained the Penn women's team.[46][47] He is of German-Bangladeshi descent through his mother; his maternal grandmother was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and his maternal grandfather was German-American communication theorist Klaus Krippendorff.[48][49]

Cavan is the youngest of four children.[50] Cavan's oldest brother, Quinn, plays for the Philadelphia Union.[51] His other older brothers, Declan and Ronan, are also soccer players, with both attending YSC Academy and playing for MLS Next affiliate FC DELCO, as of December 2023.[52] Cavan's older cousin is Chris Albright, a United States international who played two seasons for the Union, and his grandfather is Larry Sullivan, who served as the head coach at Villanova from 1991 to 2007.[46][53] Cavan's uncle, Bryan Sullivan, was also on the coaching staff at Villanova.[54]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played October 17, 2026[55]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League U.S. Open Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Philadelphia Union II 2024 MLS Next Pro 20———20
Philadelphia Union 2024 MLS 3000——30
2025 MLS 11030—2[a]0160
2026 MLS 277—4[b]22[c]13310
Total 4173042415210
Philadelphia Union II (loan) 2024 MLS Next Pro 164——4[d]1205
2025 MLS Next Pro 146———146
Total 3010——413411
Career total 73173042828821
  1. ↑ Appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
  2. ↑ Appearances in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in Leagues Cup
  4. ↑ Appearances in MLS Next Pro playoffs

International

[edit]
As of match played October 3, 2026[55]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 202631
Total31

Scores and results list the United States' goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Cavan Sullivan
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1October 3, 2026State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States Mexico2–03–0Friendly

Honors

[edit]

Philadelphia Union

United States U15

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "LISTE D'ÉQUIPE" (PDF). FIFA. September 12, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "NXGN 2026: The 50 best teenage wonderkids in football | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. March 24, 2026. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (October 6, 2026). "Next Generation 2026: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi". Marca. March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  5. ↑ "US soccer sensation Sullivan's Bangladeshi heritage".
  6. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan: 'The sky's the limit'". inquirer.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  7. ↑ Schneider, Jacob (March 24, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan or Kevin De Bruyne? 14-year-old USMNT prospect - who is set to sign for Manchester City - delivers pinpoint assist for Philadelphia Union II on professional debu". Goal. TPG Inc. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mendola, Nicholas (March 24, 2024). "Reported Manchester City target and USYNT phenom Cavan Sullivan, 14, assists on pro debut for Philadelphia". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Philadelphia Union Sign Academy Product Cavan Sullivan In Record Homegrown Signing" (Press release). Philadelphia Union. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Ondeo signs Europe's largest petrol water deal". Daily Times. 2004 (2): 4. May 9, 2024. doi:10.1016/s1365-6937(04)00114-5. ISSN 1365-6937.
  11. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (May 9, 2024). "Philadelphia Union deal with Cavan Sullivan has Man City clause". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  12. ↑ Bonagura, Kyle (May 9, 2024). "Philadelphia Union deal with Cavan Sullivan has Man City clause". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Man City are chasing the 'most exciting 14-year-old in the world' in USMNT and Philadelphia Union prospect Cavan Sullivan | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Philadelphia's Cavan Sullivan, 14, breaks Freddy Adu's youngest MLS player mark". The Guardian. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  15. ↑ Reineking, Jim (July 17, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest in US major sports to make pro debut". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  16. 1 2 mlsnextpro. "Cavan Sullivan | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  17. ↑ Sigal, Jonathan (July 23, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan: Philadelphia Union sensation leads MLS NEXT All-Star Game comeback". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  18. ↑ Quillen, Ian Nicholas (February 27, 2026). "Manchester City-Bound Teen Scores 1st Goals for MLS Club in Concacaf Rout". GiveMeSport. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ DeGeorge, Matthew (May 14, 2026). "Cavan Sullivan's first goal can't make up for Union's latest capitulation". Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  20. ↑ Creditor, Avi (August 10, 2026). "Cavan Sullivan, 16, scores and assists in Philadelphia Union's Leagues Cup win". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Damiani scores 2, Sullivan sets up 2 in Union rally over NYCFC". www.espn.com. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  22. ↑ Reineking, Jim (August 19, 2026). "Late-game fight leads to first MLS red card for Cavan Sullivan". USA Today. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Miami's Lionel Messi fined by MLS for slapping opponent". ESPN. August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  24. ↑ Tannenwald, Jonathan (August 22, 2026). "Cavan Sullivan's early goal earns the Union a 1-1 tie amid brutal heat in Austin". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan Breaks Freddy Adu's MLS Goal Contributions Record". soccer.realgm.com. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan, 16, breaks Freddy Adu's MLS record". www.espn.com. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  27. ↑ mlssoccer. "Cavan Sullivan channels LeBron James in record-setting performance | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan records his first 2-goal game in MLS and the Union cruise past San Diego 5-0". www.foxsports.com. FOX Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Match Report: Sporting Kansas City 3-4 Philadelphia Union". The Philly Soccer Page. September 20, 2026. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  30. ↑ mlssoccer. "Philadelphia Union Midfielder Cavan Sullivan Named MLS Player of the Month for September 2026 | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
  31. ↑ mlssoccer. "Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan named MLS Player of the Month | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
  32. ↑ mlssoccer. "Cavan Sullivan hits historic new heights with Philadelphia Union | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  33. ↑ ESPN. "U.S. prodigy Cavan Sullivan sets MLS record, laments 'terrible' performance". www.espn.com. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  34. 1 2 Steiner, Ben (October 20, 2026). "USMNT Star Cavan Sullivan Makes More History With Major MLS Award". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi". marca.com. March 20, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  36. ↑ "'লতায়-পাতায়' বাংলাদেশি ফুটবলার যোগ দিলেন ম্যান সিটিতে". Independent Television. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  37. ↑ mlssoccer. "Cavan Sullivan makes USMNT history with first start | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved October 11, 2026.
  38. 1 2 "Cavan Sullivan: The future USMNT star set to sign with Manchester City after being labelled the 'best 14-year-old in the world'". goal.com.
  39. ↑ "Pochettino Adds Damion Downs to USMNT Roster for International Matches Against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada". United States Soccer Federation. September 20, 2026. Retrieved September 20, 2026.
  40. ↑ Tenorio, Paul; Bogert, Tom (September 16, 2026). "Rising star Cavan Sullivan, 16, becomes youngest USMNT call-up since Freddy Adu". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
  41. ↑ Bogert, Tom; Bushnell, Henry (September 26, 2026). "Cavan Sullivan starts vs. Peru, youngest to make USMNT debut since Freddy Adu". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  42. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari. "Cavan Sullivan makes USMNT history with first start | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
  43. ↑ Creditor, Avi (October 3, 2026). "Cavan Sullivan scores spectacular first USMNT goal vs. Mexico, becomes team's youngest scorer ever". The Athletic. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Who is Cavan Sullivan?". as.com. March 17, 2024.
  45. ↑ Bogert, Tom; Harris, Thom (August 16, 2026). "Analyzing Cavan Sullivan: How the MLS wonderkid has stepped up in 2026". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 5, 2026.
  46. 1 2 "Quinn Sullivan is a 15-year-old ninth grader who plays center-mid for the Academy U-15s..." YSC Academy. Facebook. May 3, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Brendan Sullivan at SoccerStats.us". SoccerStats.us. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family". Backheeled. May 17, 2023.
  49. ↑ "US soccer sensation Sullivan's Bangladeshi heritage". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family". backheeled.com. May 17, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Curtin: Philadelphia Union Academy's Cavan Sullivan can become a "household name"". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Off The Pitch | Philadelphia is home". Philadelphia Union. December 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  53. ↑ "SOCCER: From Villanova to the Rock – Council Rock North Coach Larry Sullivan has made the adjustment". thereporteronline. December 1, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2022.[dead link]
  54. ↑ "Brendan Sullivan Joins Men's Soccer Staff". Villanova Wildcats. Villanova University. August 3, 2000. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  55. 1 2 "C. Sullivan". Soccerway. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2025 Supporters' Shield". Major League Soccer. October 4, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  57. ↑ Liljenwall, Ari (September 30, 2026). "Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan named MLS Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 30, 2026.
[edit]
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