Philadelphia Union rising star Cavan Sullivan scored for the second straight game to become the first 16-year-old in MLS history with goal contributions in four consecutive matches.
Sullivan found the net with a powerful left-footed strike after a skillful cut back in the 50th minute of the Union’s 3-1 win at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
He now has two goals and three assists in his last four appearances. He is the third player in league history aged 18 or younger with a scoring contribution in four straight matches, tying Ricardo Pepi (Aug. 21-Sept. 14, 2021) and Diego Fagundez (May 11-June 2, 2013).
For the season, Sullivan has three goals and seven assists in 20 MLS appearances, tying Freddy Adu for most goal contributions by a player aged 16 or younger in a single MLS season.
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Sullivan has already made plenty of history in his young career, including becoming the youngest player to debut in MLS two years ago, aged 14 years and 293 days.
Cavan Sullivan, that’s a BEAUTY 🤩
The 16-year-old scores in back-to-back games to double the @PhilaUnion lead! pic.twitter.com/xEPIrxMb5M
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 30, 2026
Months before that, Philadelphia signed Sullivan to the largest homegrown contract in MLS history. ESPN also reported at the time that the deal included an agreement to transfer Sullivan to English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City when he turned 18.
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Already a U.S. youth international, there has been speculation that Sullivan’s recent form could earn him a call up by Mauricio Pochettino to the senior U.S. men’s national team.
The Union took the lead on Saturday in the 21st minute on Milan Iloski’s career-high 11th goal. Indiana Vassilev and Danley Jean Jacques both picked up their first two assists of the season on the first two goals.
Teenager Neil Pierre scored in the 65th minute for a 3-0 advantage. It was the fourth goal in seven appearances for the 18-year-old rookie midfielder. Bruno Damiani and Iloski had assists.
The Red Bulls avoided a shutout in the 74th minute when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting netted his third goal of the season after scoring 17 times last year.
The Union earned their sixth road win in 20 tries against the Red Bulls and lead the all-time series 17-15-9.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
