Alright, soccer fans, get ready for this name: Cavan Sullivan. The kid is only 16 years old, and he is absolutely tearing it up for the Philadelphia Union, racking up 12 goal contributions in just 10 MLS games. That insane stat makes him the joint goal contribution leader across the entire league with none other than Lionel Messi himself, who also notched 12 in 10 games for Inter Miami post-World Cup. And the biggest news? ESPN reports he is reportedly set to be named to the USMNT squad this Thursday. Seriously, this is happening.
The Hype Is Real (And He Doesn’t Even Know It)
This dude is a legit phenom, and the buzz around him is deafening. Imagine being 16, scoring off a backheel and nutmegging a goalkeeper in San Diego two days before, and then walking into an EA Sports FC 27 launch party only to get swarmed by media and well-wishers. That’s Cavan Sullivan’s Tuesday. His five goals and seven assists put him right there with Messi, a guy who won his second UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona before Sullivan was even born! When asked about the Messi comparison, Sullivan played it cool, saying, “I didn’t know that. That’s pretty cool. Like I said, I’m just trying to show what I can do. I told people that the goal contributions will come with the games but as always, the wins are most important, and 10 unbeaten with the Union is pretty special.” Talk about keeping your head down!
From Youngest Debut to National Team Bound
Sullivan’s rise has been quick, but definitely earned. He made his MLS debut at a shockingly young 14, becoming the youngest player ever to do so. His integration into the first team was slow at first, which makes total sense for a kid that age. But this summer, interim head coach Ryan Richter, who stepped in after Bradley Carnell was fired before the World Cup, handed Sullivan a much bigger role with the Union. And man, has he delivered! Sullivan attributes this explosion in form to a “vibe shift” in the Union locker room. Whatever it is, it’s working. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino said just a week ago that he and his staff were “watching everything,” and it looks like Sullivan got the message loud and clear. This is the final step in his journey to the senior national team, an understanding of what that dream job demands now that it is within reach.
What’s next for Sullivan? He is just focused on getting better every day and having fun. “I’m just working to develop my game and get better day by day and hopefully keep proving myself, proving to the world what I can do in the games and just having fun,” he said. With a reported USMNT call-up on the horizon, the soccer world is buzzing about what this 16-year-old can achieve. This kid is special, and we cannot wait to see him prove himself on the biggest stage.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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