A video from a U.S. U-15 national team camp three years ago captures 13-year-old Cavan Sullivan training with the senior squad for the first time. Unlike many of his peers, Sullivan showed no signs of nerves. During the session, he attempted a scorpion kick — a flashy move where a player kicks the ball backward with the sole of their foot — to pass to a teammate. This display of flair hinted at his potential. Sullivan, who signed with English club Manchester City before playing a single professional minute, made history in 2021 by becoming the youngest player to debut in Major League Soccer (MLS) at age 14. However, raw talent at a young age doesn't always translate to long-term success, as seen with Freddy Adu, a once-hyped American soccer prodigy who struggled to maintain a professional career. Sullivan spent time on the Philadelphia Union’s bench before earning a regular spot this summer. Since then, he has shown marked growth, accumulating the most playing time among 16-year-olds in MLS since 2015. He now plays alongside Adri Mehmeti, a 17-year-old in the New York Red Bulls’ midfield. His teammates clearly trust him, as seen in his high number of touches and the respect he receives from his peers. His first coach at the Union, Jim Curtin, noted that Sullivan often received the ball within seconds of training sessions, highlighting his ability to immediately impact the game. This season, Sullivan has scored four goals and recorded three assists in MLS, with seven goals and seven assists in all competitions. In his last five games, he has added three goals and three assists. His expected goals and assists per 90 minutes rank him fourth among MLS teenagers with at least 1,000 minutes played. According to futi ratings, Sullivan’s performance in 2026 is the second-best among MLS teenagers on record, behind only Gianluca Busio. Futi’s player style model classifies Sullivan as a “wide playmaker,” a role that involves collecting the ball near the touchline and moving into the center to create opportunities for teammates. His style includes dribbling, feints, and quick directional changes, more similar to Alexis Sánchez than Lionel Messi, even though Sullivan initially modeled his game after Messi. His decision-making and vision are standout traits, as he averages 5.0 progressive passes per 90 minutes — placing him in the top five among MLS wide attackers. Despite a 65% pass completion rate, which is lower than the league average, this is typical for Philadelphia, which plays a more direct style. His relatively small stature — standing 5ft 7in — may present challenges in a physically demanding European league, but Sullivan has consistently outperformed bigger, faster players throughout his career, showcasing his determination and work ethic.