Cavan Sullivan, 16, gets first United States call-up amid MLS surge and Manchester City pathway | OneFootball

Cavan Sullivan has earned a first United States call-up at 16, the Philadelphia Union winger hitting 6 goals and 11 assists in 16 MLS starts and lined up to join Manchester City at 18. According to L'Équipe, Mauricio Pochettino has praised his emergence.

At 16 years and 354 days he is the second-youngest United States selection, behind Freddy Adu, and could feature in four friendlies between 29 September and six October. He is also seen among MVP contenders alongside Lionel Messi, still relentless at 39 with Inter Miami.

Sullivan became the youngest American athlete to sign a professional contract when he agreed terms with the Union in March 2024 at 14. Often used on the right, he is noted for acceleration, close control and a team-first style.

Since MLS resumed in mid-July after the World Cup pause, he has helped Philadelphia go 10 matches unbeaten. Paul Kennedy regards him as already bossing MLS at 16, while cautioning that the intensity in England will be far higher.

Manchester City plan for him to join Enzo Maresca’s squad on 28 September 2027, his 18th birthday, possibly via a City Football Group loan. Agent Jérôme Meary says City’s scouting is trusted and that Sullivan should keep his edge, with self-belief vital for a 16-year-old among adults. He later contrasted him with Adu and expressed confidence the teenager will not flop, after Sullivan suggested he could have helped in the United States’ 1-4 World Cup last-16 loss to Belgium.

Source: L'Équipe

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