Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan named MLS Player of the Month | OneFootball

By Ari Liljenwall

Player of the Month: Cavan Sullivan | September 2026

Cavan Sullivan's incredible rise has earned him another piece of MLS history.

At 17 years and two days old, the Philadelphia Union midfielder has been named MLS Player of the Month for September 2026, becoming the youngest-ever player to win the award. 

Sullivan is the youngest MLS Player of the Month winner since Orlando City striker Daryl Dike, who was 20 years and 98 days old when he won the award in August 2020. 

Philly's homegrown sensation led all MLS players with nine goal contributions during September, recording 4g/5a across four appearances. His five assists were tied for the league lead, while his four goals were tied for third.

The teenage standout helped fuel a perfect month for Philadelphia. The Union went 5W-0L-0D in September, recording league-bests in goals scored (20) and goal differential (+15), to keep climbing the Eastern Conference table via a historic unbeaten run following the 2026 FIFA World Cup break.

Sullivan's September included one goal in a 2-0 win over CF Montréal, three assists in a 5-0 rout of FC Cincinnati and 2g/1a in a 5-0 victory at San Diego FC, the latter performance earning him Player of the Matchday honors for Matchday 26. He closed the month with another 1g/1a game in a dramatic 4-3 comeback win at Sporting Kansas City.

Sullivan now has 7g/12a in 1,450 regular-season minutes, and his 19 goal contributions tie Alphonso Davies' 2018 total for the second-most by a teenager in a single MLS season.

His club form earned him his first US men's national team call-up in September. He became the second-youngest player ever to start for the USMNT in a 4-1 victory over Peru, and also featured in a 4-2 win over Chile.

Philadelphia return from the international window on Oct. 10, hosting Real Salt Lake at Subaru Park (7:30 pm ET | Apple TV).

MLS Player of the Month is voted upon by a panel of select national media members in a process conducted by MLS Communications.