Cavan Sullivan broke Freddy Adu’s longstanding document because the youngest participant to characteristic for a senior MLS aspect when he took the sphere for the Philadelphia Union of their match towards the New England Revolution on Wednesday.
Sullivan, who’s 14 years, 293 days outdated and was referred to as into the senior squad for the primary time on Tuesday, got here on late within the second half to interrupt the document held by Adu in a runaway 5-1 win for the Union.
The younger American signed the most important homegrown contract in Main League Soccer historical past on Could 9, in a deal that stipulates Sullivan will switch to English Premier League energy Manchester Metropolis after he turns 18.
Sullivan, whose brother Quinn additionally performs for the Union and scored on Wednesday within the win, did not have many alternatives on the ball, however he did have one good run towards the tip of the sport that ended with a strong shot on aim from exterior the penalty space.
Following the match, Adu posted on social media: “Massive congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his document breaking debut at the moment. That is a tough document to interrupt and the child did it. Nicely finished and good luck my man.”
Sullivan can be youthful than any participant who has appeared within the NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA or Main League Baseball since no less than 1970, in accordance with the Elias Sports activities Bureau. Andrew Bynum, who debuted for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 on the age of 18 years, 6 days, holds that mark.
The youngest debut within the 5 greatest soccer leagues world wide since no less than 1988 was by Ethan Nwaneri, who got here on for Arsenal in 2022 at 15 years, 181 days.
Adu held the document because the youngest to play for an MLS senior aspect since he took the sphere for D.C. United towards the San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, 2004, on the age of 14 years, 306 days. He scored 23 objectives over a membership profession that took him from the USA to Europe and again to the U.S. once more, the place he final performed for the Las Vegas Lights of the USL.
At 16 years, 234 days, Adu earned his first cap for the USA senior group — nonetheless a document — in a pleasant towards Canada. He scored the primary of his two objectives for the USMNT in a 2-0 win over Guatemala on Nov. 19, 2008.
Sullivan was born in Philadelphia to 2 soccer-playing mother and father, and he joined the Union’s youth academy 4 years in the past. He made his skilled debut in March for the Philadelphia Union II in MLS’ developmental league.
At his signing, Sullivan mentioned: “I feel it will be cool to clearly have my first document, however it does not actually matter to me if I beat it or not. I imply, everybody’s on their very own journey. It is not likely the place you begin, it is about the place you end.”
Philadelphia was not licensed to debate particulars in regards to the built-in switch to Man Metropolis, however Sullivan confirmed to ESPN that Man Metropolis’s involvement contributed to his determination to signal along with his hometown membership. His older brother Quinn, 20, has been a first-team participant since 2021.
“I’ve at all times wished to start out my profession right here as a result of that is my residence and I’ve at all times been on the sidelines of Quinn’s video games and I have been in and across the facility when my uncle labored right here,” Sullivan informed ESPN. “So, I’ve at all times been impressed and to play in entrance of this tradition, and these followers are particular.
“However I additionally assume the collaboration between the Union and the Metropolis Group was — I feel that did it for me. I at all times watch Man Metropolis. They’re like each child’s dream group. For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come back collectively and agree on one thing — I sat with my household and my brokers and we determined that it was the most effective plan.”
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and The Related Press contributed to this story.
