Sullivan lit up San Diego on Sunday, netting two strikes, the flashier a back‑flick wonder. Can anyone stop him now?
Just two weeks shy of turning 17, the prodigy snapped a instinctive back‑flick before halftime, steering the Union to a second straight 5‑0 win.
It marked his fifth straight match with a goal or assist, and the highlight‑reel strike was merely the opening act. Early in the second period he burst from the left wing, slipped into the box and hammered home a powerful finish in the 61st minute.
That tally pushed his tally to 11 goal contributions in eight outings, a run that began with a Leagues Cup win over Necaxa last month.
CAVAN SULLIVAN BACKHEEL?! 😲 The 16‑year‑old gave @PhilaUnion the lead in San Diego just before halftime! pic.twitter.com/oSvyKnvfRp — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 14, 2026
Now he’s nutmegged the keeper 😳 Cavan Sullivan caps his brace in style for @PhilaUnion! pic.twitter.com/IjinRebcch — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 14, 2026
Just months ago he wasn’t even earning back‑to‑back starts. Today he’s the engine driving the league’s hottest team, and for my money he’s the most‑hyped American prospect in a decade.
He’s no longer a mere prospect. Sullivan isn’t just doing things no 16‑year‑old in MLS has ever managed; he’s been among the league’s elite attackers, regardless of age. for a teenager.
Nominally a right winger, he roams the pitch to find space and shape play. Audacious and confident as ever, he’s also learning to thread simple passes when the moment calls for it.
Less than six minutes after his second tally, he delivered a play perhaps even slicker than the flick. He dribbled forward, eased off, lulling San Diego’s weary backline, then slipped a lofted through‑ball to Frankie Westfield, who set up Bruno Damiani for the third goal.
The @PhilaUnion are lighting it up! ⚡ Cavan Sullivan creates the chance, Bruno Damiani finishes to make it 3‑0. 📺 Watch on Apple TV: https://t.co/BhENRIgp5c pic.twitter.com/GjxUsZK7AC — Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 14, 2026
Sullivan, slated to join Manchester City at 18 next year, has long been hailed in U.S. soccer circles as a once‑in‑a‑generation talent. After two quiet seasons, he’s now storming the league.
The U.S. men’s national team could be next. He’s a strong candidate for his first senior call when Mauricio Pochettino announces the September‑October camp and friendlies versus Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
He may not break the record for youngest senior debut, but he could become the youngest scorer, tracing a path similar to Christian Pulisic’s rise.
Philadelphia Union are ablaze. After a solitary win before the World Cup pause, they’ve gone unbeaten since the restart, posting eight wins and two draws in ten games and climbing into a playoff slot.