Cavan Sullivan's breakout season for Philadelphia Union rivals Lionel Messi's production
Philadelphia Union attacker Cavan Sullivan, 16, has equaled Lionel Messi's goal contributions since Major League Soccer's World Cup break, showcasing a rapid ascent that has coincided with the Union's strong performance. Sullivan's impressive run has elevated his profile within the league and among US soccer audiences.
His recent form includes five goals and seven assists, with one goal scored via a backheel and another involving nutmegging a goalkeeper in San Diego. This productivity has placed him at the forefront of post-World Cup attacking output. CBS Sports reporting confirms this metric, noting his tie for first in goal contributions with Inter Miami's star.
Sullivan's growing impact and USMNT consideration
Despite the attention, Sullivan stated his focus remains on daily development and proving his capabilities. He downplayed knowledge of any imminent USMNT call-up, though ESPN has reported his likely inclusion in the upcoming squad.
The 16-year-old indicated he was unaware of his shared statistical output with Messi, an achievement made more notable considering Messi's pre-Sullivan-era accolades, including three LaLiga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Sullivan instead connected his performance to the Union's recent success, citing their current unbeaten streak.
"I didn't know that. That's pretty cool," the young player admitted, emphasizing that wins are paramount. "I told people that the goal contributions will come with the games but as always, the wins are most important, and 10 unbeaten is pretty special."
Philadelphia Union's resurgence under new leadership
Sullivan's enhanced role with the Philadelphia Union commenced this summer, coinciding with interim head coach Ryan Richter's appointment. Richter took over after Bradley Carnell was dismissed just before the World Cup break. Sullivan, the youngest player to debut in MLS at 14, had a measured integration into the first team initially, but Richter has entrusted him with significantly more responsibility.
The Union's 10-match unbeaten run has been intertwined with Sullivan's personal uptick in form. He attributed this team success to a shift in the locker room's atmosphere. His impact on the Eastern Conference table and the Union's playoff positioning is becoming increasingly significant as the regular season progresses.
Reporting: CBS Sports