Rising Star: Cavan Sullivan Shines in Philadelphia Union's CONCACAF Champions Cup Rout
Cavan Sullivan showcased his talent with two goals and two assists as the Philadelphia Union dominated Defence Force FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, securing a convincing 7-0 victory. The 16-year-old prodigy's standout performance has solidified his place as a promising young talent in American soccer.

Cavan Sullivan scored two and added two assists as the Philadelphia Union breezed past Trinidadian side Defence Force FC, 7-0 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The American has now assisted in two of his last three games and contributed to five of the Union's goals in a comprehensive 12-0 aggregate win to secure qualification to the next round of the tournament. The 16-year-old started his first game of the season, and repaid manager Bradley Carnell's faith in style with his best performance in a Union shirt to date. The Union were 2-0 up by the time Sullivan worked his magic for the first time, flicking deftly into the path of Stats Korezeniowski, who made a mistake to give the MLS side a 2-0 advantage after just 12 minutes. He was in and out of the game for the remainder of the first half, but came alive in the second. He set up Ben Bender to make things 5-0 after 53 minutes, before adding two late goals of his own - both routine finishes inside the box - to round off a CONCACAF thrashing at Subaru Park. They were the first and second strikes of his Union career to date. Sullivan has made a habit of breaking records since signing a homegrown contract at 14-years-old. He was the youngest debutant in American soccer history when he appeared for the Union on July 17. And he added another for the history books Thursday night, becoming the youngest American to score a goal in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, aged 16 years, four months, and 29 days. What role he plays this season remains to be seen. The Union are admittedly covered at his spot, with experienced midfielders Indy Vassilev and Danley Jean Jacques ahead of him in the pecking order. But with Philadelphia playing in three competitions - with the additional wrinkle of a World Cup break - the highly-touted youth prospect will certainly have a role to play in some capacity. As part of his homegrown contract with the Union, Sullivan has a pre-arranged transfer to Manchester City when he turns 18. He played 20 minutes of the Union's season opener, a 1-0 loss to D.C. United last Saturday. Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingThe Union, meanwhile, advance top the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. They will face Mexican giants Club America in the second round of the tournament. The first leg is set for March 10 in Philadelphia, before a tricky away fixture eight days later in Mexico City. Should they advance, the Union will face the winner of Inter Miami and Nashville.
The Emergence of Cavan Sullivan
Cavan Sullivan's impressive display in the recent CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Defence Force FC has garnered attention across the soccer world. With two goals and two assists, Sullivan demonstrated his skill, vision, and composure on the field, contributing significantly to the Union's emphatic win.
Setting Records and Making History
Since signing a homegrown contract at just 14-years-old, Cavan Sullivan has been setting records and breaking barriers in American soccer. Notably, he became the youngest American to score in the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the age of 16 years, four months, and 29 days. His rapid rise and impact are testament to his potential and ability.
Future Prospects and Manchester City Connection
As a highly-touted youth prospect with a pre-arranged transfer to Manchester City when he turns 18, Sullivan's future looks bright. While he faces competition from experienced midfielders at the Union, his recent performances suggest he is poised to play a significant role in the team's upcoming matches, especially with multiple competitions on the horizon.
Next Steps for the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union's convincing victory over Defence Force FC has propelled them to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they will clash with Mexican powerhouse Club America. The upcoming fixtures against tough opponents present an exciting challenge for the Union, with Sullivan likely to feature prominently in manager Bradley Carnell's plans.








