Cavan Sullivan is 16 and in the USMNT squad. The last American called up this young was Freddy Adu.

Cavan Sullivan is 16 and in the United States squad for the four friendlies that close the September–October window. It is his first senior call-up, and it comes with a record attached. 12

Sullivan turns 17 on 28 September, two days after the first match, against Peru in Orlando. If he plays there he would be the second-youngest man to appear for the national team, behind only Freddy Adu, who was 16 when he came on against Canada in January 2006. 2 The same squad drops Christian Pulisic, who is working back from two broken bones in his right leg, injured against Belgium at the World Cup. 3

Sullivan signed with the Philadelphia Union at 14 and debuted in MLS in July 2024 at 14 years and 293 days, the youngest player ever to appear in the league, 13 days younger than Adu had been. 2 His contract carries him to Manchester City when he turns 18, in September 2027. 4 At the U-17 World Cup in Qatar last November he scored the winner against Burkina Faso and finished with two goals and two assists in four games. 4

Sullivan spent the Union's first 15 matches on a single goal, until Ryan Richter arrived from the club's youth staff in midseason. 4 Since MLS returned from its World Cup break the Union have won eight and drawn two of ten league games, and Sullivan has six goals and 11 assists this season. 4 He scored twice and made another in the 5-0 win at San Diego on 13 September. 3

The call-up arrived with a caution. Pochettino said on 7 September that "one of our responsibilities is to protect these guys, because sometimes if you play well and you are 16, 17 or 18, people start to talk about that you are Messi". 5 Sullivan had said on a podcast he thought he could have made a difference against Belgium. 5 Two former players had already made his case: "Play him now," said Tim Howard; "I'm saying call him in," said Landon Donovan. 4