Who is Cavan Sullivan, youngest player ever to appear in MLS?

Teenager Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player ever to feature in a Major League Soccer match during Philadelphia Union’s thrashing of New England Revolution on Wednesday.

How old was Cavan Sullivan in MLS debut?

Aged 14 years and 293 days, Sullivan overtook Freddy Adu as the North American league’s youngest appearance maker when he was brought on as a late substitute at Subaru Park.

Adu had held the record since April 2004, when he played for DC United at the age of 14 years and 306 days.

And Sullivan has not only made history in MLS, but has also become the youngest player to debut in any major North American professional sports league.

Given last five minutes of Rev rout

Sullivan replaced Thai Baribo in the 85th minute of the Union’s 5-1 win over the Revolution, shortly after his brother, Quinn Sullivan, had scored the home team’s fifth goal. Earlier, Baribo had netted a hat-trick for Philadelphia, with Jakob Glesnes also on the scoresheet for the Pennsylvanians.

Cavan Sullivan linked up well with his sibling during his record-breaking run-out, and sought to crown his debut with a goal. Taking aim from mid-range in time added on, the midfielder let fly with a shot that was saved by New England goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

“Time right” for Cavan Sullivan debut - Union boss

“This is just the first chapter in Cavan’s career,” Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin said after Sullivan’s bow against New England. “The time was right to give him an opportunity.” Curtin added: “The reality is he’s not a normal kid. We’ve known that from the start. He’s different. He has a different trajectory than other players.”

In May, Sullivan signed a historic contract with the Union, penning a four-year commitment that made him the youngest player ever to be given a first-team deal by the franchise. Across MLS, he is the fifth-youngest to get a senior contract. The agreement reportedly includes a clause that will trigger a transfer to Premier League giants Manchester City once he turns 18.

A Philadelphia native, Sullivan joined the Union’s youth set-up in 2020. In March this year, he made his debut for Philadelphia Union II in MLS NextPro, a development league for future MLS players. He has made 10 appearances in MLS NextPro, scoring twice and supplying one assist.

He has won nine caps for the United States U15s, and picked up the Golden Ball award after helping the Stars and Stripes to the title at the 2023 CONCACAF U15 Championship.