USA's new breakout star? Sullivan living up to Premier League promise — SkimNews
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- Cavan Sullivan became the fourth-youngest US men's team player at 16 years and 363 days, starting Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Peru in what was his first international call-up.
- Sullivan has recorded seven goals and five assists in MLS this season, with six goals and four assists coming in August and September; he has been named to the league's Team of the Matchday seven times, including the past three consecutive matchdays.
- Manchester City secured a future deal for Sullivan in 2024 when he was 14, but his US debut came the day after City were found guilty of breaching the majority of 115 Premier League financial charges; the club is expected to appeal.
- The Philadelphia Union are unbeaten in 11 matches under interim coach Ryan Richter (nine wins), a stark reversal from winning just one of their first 15 games this season.
- Philadelphia Inquirer chief soccer correspondent Jonathan Tannenwald urged caution, praising Sullivan's work ethic and family grounding — including brother Quinn, a Union teammate — while citing Freddy Adu, Gedion Zelalem and Gio Reyna as US prodigies who fell short.
Why it matters: Sullivan is producing MLS-leading output (seven goals, five assists) at 16, potentially filling the void the US men's team has long tried to fill behind Christian Pulisic. His 2024 pre-agreement with Manchester City would mark a meaningful milestone for the American-to-elite-European pipeline — though that move now sits alongside City's ongoing appeal of the 115-charge verdict.
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