HISTORY! Cavan Sullivan scores first USMNT goal vs. Mexico | OneFootball

By Jaime Uribarri

Cavan Sullivan's first U.S. men's national team goal was one for the history books.

The Philadelphia Union homegrown phenom opened his USMNT account in Saturday's 3-0 win over archrivals Mexico at State Farm Stadium, becoming the youngest goal scorer in program history at 17 years and five days. 

Sullivan brilliantly chipped Raúl Rangel from distance in the 63rd minute after a giveaway from the Chivas de Guadalajara goalkeeper.

Sullivan's historic strike added to Julian Hall's first-half opener; the Red Bull New York homegrown striker made it three straight USMNT goals in as many appearances. 

It also surpassed Mathis Albert's short-lived mark set in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Chile, the Borussia Dortmund winger scoring at the then-youngest age of 17 years, 131 days.

Meteoric rise

Sullivan has parlayed his breakout 2026 MLS season with Philadelphia into instant international success. The then-16-year-old made his USMNT debut in last week's  4-1 victory over Peru at Orlando City before appearing off the bench against Chile. 

In his first-ever USA-Mexico rivalry match, Sullivan further boosted his rising profile by opening his USMNT in style. 

It's been more of the same in MLS from Sullivan, who was recently named Player of the Month for September. 

Philly's wunderkind has 7g/12a in 24 MLS appearances this season, including a goal contribution in eight straight matches – the longest such streak by a teenager in league history. 

Along with fellow Philly homegrowns-turned USMNT debutants Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield, Sullivan has helped the Union go unbeaten in 12 straight matches to climb from the bottom of the Eastern Conference into the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs places.