Cavan Sullivan

Cavan Sullivan
Personal information
Date of birth (2009-09-28) September 28, 2009 (age 15)
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) 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 17 (4)
2024– Philadelphia Union 3 (0)
International career‡
2023– United States U15 9 (5)
2024– United States U17 3 (0)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Under-15 Championship
Winner 2023 Dominican Republic
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 25, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of January 17, 2024

Cavan Sullivan (born September 28, 2009[1]) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.[2][3]

Early life

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Cavan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is of German-Bangladeshi descent through his mother.[1][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

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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 (MLS) 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 Manchester City once he turns 18. If he develops rapidly, he can conceivably play in Europe at age 16, but cannot do so in England. In that scenario, continental European clubs that share ownership with Manchester City—Spanish side Girona, Belgian side Lommel, Italian side Palermo, and French side Troyes—would be possible destinations for a loan.[11]

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 league in the United States, breaking Freddy Adu's record set in 2004 by 13 days.[12][13] 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.[14]

International career

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Sullivan is eligible to represent Germany, the United States and Bangladesh.[15]

Sullivan has represented the United States internationally at youth level. He helped the United States boys' national under-15 soccer team win the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.[16]

Style of play

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Sullivan mainly operates as a midfielder. He is left-footed. He is known for his vision.[17]

Personal life

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Sullivan is the youngest of four children. His father, Brendan, played for five clubs over a six-year professional career in the A-League, now known as the USL Championship, the second division of American soccer. Prior to that, Brendan Sullivan was an All-Ivy League selection at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and before that starred at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. He then went on to coach at his alma mater. His mother, Heike, also played Division I soccer and captained the Penn women's team.[18][19][20]

Cavan's oldest brother, Quinn, currently plays for the first-team of the Philadelphia Union.[21] His other older brothers, Declan and Ronan, are also soccer players, with both currently attending YSC Academy and playing for MLS NEXT affiliate FC DELCO.[22]

Cavan's older cousin is Chris Albright, an American 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.[18][23] Cavan's uncle, Bryan Sullivan, was a Division I goalkeeper at Philadelphia Textile (now Division II Jefferson) and was also on the coaching staff at Villanova.[24]

Honors

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United States U15

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi". Marca. March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Critchley, Tom Bogert and Mark (March 17, 2024). "U.S. youth international Sullivan, 14, in talks to join Man City". The New York Times. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Burton, Chris (March 27, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan: Man City win race for 'most exciting 14-year-old in the world' with USMNT prospect set to join Premier League giants | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  4. ^ "US soccer sensation Sullivan's Bangladeshi heritage".
  5. ^ "Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family". Backheeled. May 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Cavan Sullivan: 'The sky's the limit'". inquirer.com.
  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. ^ a b Bonagura, Kyle (May 9, 2024). "Philadelphia Union deal with Cavan Sullivan has Man City clause". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  12. ^ "Philadelphia's Cavan Sullivan, 14, breaks Freddy Adu's youngest MLS player mark". The Guardian. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Reineking, Jim (July 17, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest in US major sports to make pro debut". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (July 23, 2024). "Cavan Sullivan: Philadelphia Union sensation leads MLS NEXT All-Star Game comeback". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "Cavan Sullivan, the new Leo Messi". marca.com. March 20, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "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.
  17. ^ "Who is Cavan Sullivan?". as.com. March 17, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "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.
  19. ^ "Brendan Sullivan at SoccerStats.us". SoccerStats.us. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Meet the Sullivans, America's next big soccer family". backheeled.com. May 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "Curtin: Philadelphia Union Academy's Cavan Sullivan can become a "household name"". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "Off The Pitch | Philadelphia is home". Philadelphia Union. December 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  23. ^ "SOCCER: From Villanova to the Rock – Council Rock North Coach Larry Sullivan has made the adjustment". thereporteronline. December 1, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  24. ^ "Brendan Sullivan Joins Men's Soccer Staff". Villanova Wildcats. Villanova University. August 3, 2000. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
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