Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player in Major League Soccer history on Wednesday night, July 17th, 2024. He may be the youngest player to play in the biggest sports league ever in the whole world.
He entered Philadelphia’s home game as a substitute in the 85th minute against the New England Revolution. He was only 14 years and 293 years old when he debuted in the game. He is about two weeks younger than the previous record holder, Freddy Adu, who made his MLS debut in 2004 for DC United.
“Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record-breaking debut today,” Adu said in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “That’s a hard record to break, and the kid did it. Well done, and good luck, my man.”
Sullivan made his debut moments after his brother, 20-year-old Quinn, scored a goal to put Philadelphia up 5-1. Sullivan plays as a midfielder and has great vision in the game. The player is also left-footed. The player can play for two countries, America and Germany.
The Road Ahead For Cavan Sullivan
It is predictable that Sullivan will sign up for a Premier League club because he holds a German passport. According to European child labor laws, the player can play for any club within a European nation at 16 years old. He can only play for English-based clubs when he is 18 years old.
It is assumed that Cavan Sullivan will eventually move to Europe. It seems like Philadelphia has to say goodbye to the young player earlier than expected. Cavan Sullivan has been playing for the United States at youth level.
But there’s no guarantee that he’ll play for the USMNT when he eventually becomes an option for the U.S. national team. The youngster’s German passport through his mother’s ancestry means there could come a time when he will have to choose between the U.S. or Germany.
Initial reporting by Tom Bogert stated that the Union made a massive offer to Sullivan, which would have been the “best homegrown offer ever extended” in Major League Soccer. However, that offer initially fell short of expectations, and Sullivan seemed set to make the switch imminently, with a loan to City Football Group subsidiary club SK Lommel in Belgium until eligible to play in England.
Latest reports indicate that he will stay and develop with the MLS club for the foreseeable future, likely until his 18th birthday, when he can then move to Man City.
Sullivan Brothers On The Field
The love and talent for sports runs in the Sullivan family. Sullivan entered the match with the Philadelphia leading 5-1, which was the final score. His 20-year-brother, Quinn, scored in the 84th minute. The younger Sullivan took a left-footed shot from outside the box in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, but New England goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic made the save.
Just like the previous record holder, Adu, who made 17 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team during his career, scoring two goals. The expectations from Cavan Sullivian are also quite high, and everyone is hoping for the young phenom to have a successful career ahead.
