The Philadelphia Union have named 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan to their starting lineup for Wednesday's match against the New England Revolution, putting him in position to break a long-standing MLS record held by Freddy Adu.
Sullivan, who turns 14 years, 293 days old on Wednesday, can become the youngest player to play for an MLS team, a mark held by Adu since he appeared for D.C. United against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 3, 2004, at the age of 14 years, 307 days.
According to Union coach Jim Curtin, Sullivan won't just be there to fill out the numbers on a team missing two key players who are on Olympic duty for the U.S. — it's a spot he deserves after scoring in each of his last two games for Union II, Philadelphia's reserve team.
“Tomorrow he'll be in the top 20 because he's earned it,” Curtin said Tuesday. “If you look at his performances in the Union II games and the goals he scored,
“We're missing a few lads, obviously that works out well when you have [Jack] McGlynn and [Nathan] Harriel is gone too, but Cavan has earned the right to be in the top 20 if you just look at the numbers and he'll get that chance now.”
Sullivan signed the largest homegrown contract in Major League Soccer history on May 9, in a deal that stipulates the American phenom will transfer to English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City after he turns 18.
He has played five games with Union II so far this season.
“The next step is to work hard to get your first minutes,” Curtin added. “Sometimes it might be one minute, it might be 15 minutes, it might be 90 minutes, but I think Cavan understands that and recognises that.”
At the time of the signing, Sullivan was asked about Adu's record and he said, “I think it would be cool to have my first record, but I don't care if I beat it or not. I mean, everyone follows their own path. It's not where you start, it's where you end up.”
Philadelphia was not authorized to comment on the details of the transfer that included Manchester City, but Sullivan confirmed to ESPN in May that Manchester City's involvement contributed to his decision to join his hometown club. His older brother, Quinn, 20, has been a first-team player since 2021.
“I always wanted to start my career here because this is my home and I was always on the sidelines of Quinn's games and I was in and around the facility when my uncle worked here,” Sullivan told ESPN. “So I was always inspired to play in front of this culture, and these fans are special.
“But I also think the collaboration between the Union and the City Group was… I think that's what helped me. I always look up to Manchester City. They're like every kid's dream team. [Philadelphia and Man City] “Getting together and coming to an agreement on something… I sat down with my family and my agents and we decided that was the best plan.”
Union goalkeeper Andre Blake will also be back in Curtin's struggling squad after being sidelined since suffering a knee injury on April 27 and undergoing surgery to repair a damaged meniscus. It is unknown whether Blake will start or not.
Philadelphia fell into disarray after a 3-0-3 start and is 1-10-6 in its last 17 games. That includes a current 10-game winless streak (0-6-4) following a 3-0 road win over the Revolution on May 18.
If Sullivan doesn't play Wednesday, he'll still have a chance to break Adu's record on Saturday if he remains on the Union's first team for their game against Nashville on Saturday.
