At just 14 years and 293 days old, Cavan Sullivan made history on Wednesday night when he played in an MLS match for the Philadelphia Union, becoming the youngest player to debut in a major U.S. professional sports league.
Sullivan graced the field at Subaru Park in Philadelphia in the 85th minute of the Union’s 5-1 win over the New England Revolution, ending Freddy Adu’s 20-year streak that began when he appeared for D.C. United in April 2004 at the age of 14 years and 306 days.
Adu, now 35, was one of many to congratulate Sullivan on his incredible achievement.
“Huge congratulations to Cavan Sullivan on his record-breaking debut today.” Adu wrote to X Following Sullivan’s participation in the game.
“That’s a hard record to beat but boy did he do it. Well done and best of luck,” he added with three clapping emojis.
Sullivan, born in 2009, immediately rose to the occasion, firing a powerful shot towards Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic in the 93rd minute.
He played a total of five minutes, making one shot and three passes.
Following the win, coach Jim Curtin spoke about how the Union plan to develop the teenager.
“We have a plan for him, it’s not just day-to-day,” Curtin said.
“You’ve seen him take the Academy by storm. Even though he’s three years older, you don’t see him in training every day. The staff do. It was just the right timing.”
The day before Sullivan made history, Curtin spoke to reporters about why the team decided to promote the talented midfielder to the top club.
“There are still a couple of moments in training where he does something and I’m like, ‘Oh, I can’t teach that.’ Curtin told the MLS official website: on tuesday.
“It’s something that’s ingrained in a young kid whose talent is top-notch.”
But Sullivan is likely to retire from American club soccer once he turns 18.
He had previously signed the biggest homegrown signing in MLS history, ultimately taking him to one of the most promising clubs in world football: Manchester City.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber previously congratulated Sullivan on his record deal with Philadelphia.
“Signing Cavan is a great example of our player’s progression from @MLSNEXT to @MLSNEXTPRO and we’re proud he’s chosen @MLS as his league of choice,” Gerber wrote on X.
