Cavan Sullivan speaks out after USMNT call-up as 16-year-old MLS prodigy prepares for debut
· Yahoo Sports
For Cavan Sullivan, the 2026 MLS season has been the breakout year that Philadelphia Union, Manchester City, and U.S. Men’s National Team fans had been waiting for ever since he made his professional debut at a mere 14 years and 293 days old - a league record.
Visit fishroad-app.com for more information.
Currently starring for the Union, where he’s worked his way through the academy, and set to join Manchester City once he turns 18, the midfielder was named to Mauricio Pochettino’s revamped 28-man roster for their upcoming four friendlies between September 26 and October 6.
After the long-rumored news of his inaugural call-up was finally made official on Thursday, Sullivan spoke with reporters about the news. “It’s definitely exciting to finally get the invite,” he said. “I don’t know if it was necessarily expected in all honesty.
- 'I managed Wrexham - this is exactly what Rob and Ryan need to do with Phil Parkinson'
- Xabi Alonso praises 'special' Cole Palmer as Chelsea star awaits England decision
“I never really like to think about what may come. Obviously it’s something every kid works toward and dreams of. To finally get it, it made my year in all honesty.”
With five goals and two assists in the Union’s last five league games, Sullivan has thrived this season, particularly since Ryan Richter took charge as interim boss following the exit of Bradley Carnell after the FIFA World Cup break.
“He deserved all the praise that he's getting, I think, because he's performing well; he's playing well. He's giving assists, scoring goals. And he's 16, 16,” Pochettino said on Thursday.
But while Pochettino is confident that Sullivan has earned his spot on the roster, he’s keen not to pile the pressure on the youngster, who will already inevitably be facing it from the MLS and sponsors.
“He is special because he is a 16-year-old playing at this level, in MLS, of course, but he’s playing at a very high level,” the Argentine boss said. “Now it's another challenge. is a challenge that need to adapt to another level, international competition, with international players. He’s going to find a mix of different players that came from Europe.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
“Yeah, I think the most important thing is that we need to have clear idea how to…I don't want to use the word help, but just to be with him and try to provide the best platform for him to evolve.
“Every day, you need to, we need to, be the people that we go there to push and to evolve and to sometimes put the limits, sometimes to encourage, to keep going, doing what he's doing. It's a good challenge for us, and I think it's exciting to have him, like another new player that are involved in this squad, in this roster.”
Pochettino later added that it's on his staff “to make him keep believing in the way that he's doing, but also trying to show that he's about to really work hard and to evolve because it's all about to grow, but yes, I think he deserved all the praise, and he deserved to be with us, and it's with me a great opportunity for us to know him.”
All eyes will inevitably be on 16-year-old Sullivan once the USMNT camp reconvenes, with the starlet the biggest name among the 13 uncapped players included in what is an extremely young roster. What’s more, he will be without the guidance of several prominent senior figures, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, Tim Ream, and Johnny Cardoso, who all missed out.
The USMNT’s camp kicks off on September 26 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, when they take on Peru.