About Cavan Sullivan

Cavan Sullivan is a youth soccer player out of Philly who has been making social media go wild.

Update March 2024: It looks like Manchester City is making a big push to sign Sullivan. A deal could be reached soon. Stay tuned!

I saw him play at the most recent MLS NEXT Fest and I have to say, he’s the real deal. I think what makes him special is:

• Low center of gravity with power off the dribble
• Creativity with the ball
• Finds the open space without the ball
• High work rate
• Solid finishing skills

Sullivan is a 2009 playing a couple of years up on the Philadelphia Union Academy U17 team. He also plays on the U16 U.S. Men’s Youth National Team.

Most recently, he joined his brother Quinn in a preseason Philly Union II game. Very impressive for a 14 year-old.

There are also solid rumors that Man City along with Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern are willing to pay Sullivan to start his pro career in Europe.

This is combated by Union who are willing to pay top-dollar for Sullivan to stay in the MLS.

Let’s take a look at his early accolades, his background, and what makes him a special talent.

Youth Soccer Career

Cavan Sullivan is primarily a midfielder but sometimes plays will play a winger or second striker.

He has played for the Philadelphia Union Academy, jumping from his ’09 age group to playing in an age or two older.

From my experience, this is tough to do at his age and the MLS NEXT level. Teams in the U17 age group have grown-looking men on their team. But, Sullivan still finds a way to succeed.

Sullivan has also had the opportunity to play against some of the best teams in the world.

In the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup, he helped his team knock off world-renowned squads like Valencia, Arsenal, and Real Madrid. His performances in these matches have earned him recognition as a player to watch in the future.

Sullivan’s success on the field has not gone unnoticed. He has been called up to play for the United States national team at the youth level.

He has already earned caps and scored goals for his country, showing that he has the potential to be a star player at the highest level.

Cavan Sullivan’s National Team Career

National Team Debut

Cavan Sullivan made his debut for the United States national team on June 4, 2023, in a friendly match against Costa Rica. He was just 13 years old at the time, making him one of the youngest players to ever represent the red, white, and blue.

Sullivan came on as a substitute in the 60th minute and played an impressive 30 minutes, showcasing his technical ability and composure on the ball.

Since his debut, he’s gone on to help the U-15 USYNT win the CONCACAF title along with a Golden Ball for himself!

Sullivan’s Playing Style

Cavan Sullivan possesses excellent technical skills and a strong understanding of the game. He is known for his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and his exceptional vision on the field.

Sullivan’s playing style is characterized by his quick footwork, agility, power, and speed, which allow him to move quickly through tight spaces and evade defenders.

He is equally comfortable playing as a central attacking midfielder or on the wings, and he has demonstrated his versatility on numerous occasions.

In addition to his technical skills, Sullivan is also a hardworking player who is not afraid to put in the effort required to succeed.

He is known to be a disciplined player who is always looking to improve his game, and he is willing to take on new challenges as evidenced by him playing up in age groups.

Also, Sullivan’s ability to read the game and anticipate his opponents’ moves is one of his greatest strengths. He can quickly assess the situation on the field and make the right decisions, whether it be a quick pass to a teammate or a shot on goal.

Early Life and Background

Source: https://www.backheeled.com/meet-the-sullivans-americas-next-big-soccer-family/

Cavan Sullivan was born on September 28, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest member of the Sullivan family, which has produced talented soccer players.

Cavan started playing soccer at a young age and quickly showed promise on the field. He played for local youth teams and was eventually scouted by the Philadelphia Union Academy.

Transferring from FC Delco, Cavan joined Philly Union in 2020 and has since been a standout player.

Despite his young age, Cavan has already made a name for himself in the soccer world. He has been compared to other young soccer prodigies, such as Freddy Adu (hopefully with a better future) and Christian Pulisic.

Cavan Sullivan Brother

Cavan has three older brothers, Quinn, Ronan, and Declan, who are also soccer players.

Quinn plays as a forward for the Philadelphia Union and the United States U-20 team.

Ronan and Declan are twins and also play high-level soccer.

The Future for Cavan Sullivan

With all the hype surrounding Sullivan, you hope for the kid to succeed.

There are too many examples where young athletes burst onto the scene only to eventually fizzle out. I don’t think Sullivan will be another statistic in this boat though.

With his family soccer dynamic and already an older brother in the MLS, it will be interesting to see where Cavan Sullivan lands in the future.

Based on his playing style, I think he is ideal for European soccer. At the same time, it would be fun to see a homegrown player with Sullivan’s talent stay in the MLS.

Only time will tell but, in the meantime, we can watch Sullivan for the USYNT and MLS NEXT events.

Featured Image Source: MLS Soccer