14-Year Old Cavan Sullivan Makes MLS Debut While His Classmates Are On Summer Break

Getty Image / Andrew Katsamnes

Those last few childhood summers before you get old enough to work during the summer are some of the best times of being a kid. You have some freedom and have basically no responsibilities. For 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan, his summer looks a lot different.

Sullivan is a Philadelphia-area soccer prodigy that has already signed a deal with Manchester City for when he turns eighteen. But, there’s no way his talent can wait that long to play top-division soccer against senior professionals.

On Wednesday night, Sullivan made history, becoming the youngest player in MLS history to play in an official match when he subbed on for his hometown Philadelphia Union.

If you’re wondering about Freddy Adu, Sullivan is 13 days younger than Freddy Adu was when he debuted in 2004.

Not only is Cavan Sullivan the youngest debutante in MLS history, but this makes him the youngest debutant in any major American sports league. That’s a ridiculous accomplishment.

But, we’re talking about a ridiculous young man. While most kids his age are getting ready to enter the 9th grade and make their high school soccer teams,

The 5-foot-7 midfielder is already getting things done for USA Soccer, as he was on the 15U National Team that won the CONCACAF Championship in 2023. While he’s eligible to play for Germany and Bangladesh through his mother, it’s expected he will rep the stars and stripes at the next level.

Both of his parents were soccer stars at Penn, and his brother, Quinn, is a midfielder for Philadelphia Union who could get himself into the mix for the 2026 World Cup USMNT squad. That 2026 World Cup is probably too soon for Cavan. He would only be 16. But, do the math.

For now, as his friends spend the summer at the Jersey Shore, Sullivan will be playing pro soccer.

Philadelphia battered the New England Revolution, 5-1.