NEW YORK — Lionel Messi has seamlessly transitioned back to MLS action following the World Cup, recording 12 goal contributions in 10 appearances for Inter Miami. This remarkable feat leaves the Argentine legend as the sole player able to match the productivity of Philadelphia Union’s Cavan Sullivan, a rising star born long after Messi secured his second UEFA Champions League title with Barcelona.
“I didn’t know that,” Sullivan admitted on Tuesday. “That’s pretty cool. Like I said, I’m just trying to show what I can do. I told people that the goal contributions will come with the games, but as always, the wins are most important, and going unbeaten in our last 10 games is pretty special.”
For a glimpse of what genuine hype looks like, one need only spend a few minutes in the vicinity of Cavan Sullivan. The 16-year-old may have arrived quietly at the EA Sports FC 27 launch party on Tuesday, but it wasn’t long before he was surrounded by well-wishers, media requests, and the immense attention that has followed his rapid ascent.
Just two days after scoring with a brilliant backheel and nutmegging a goalkeeper in San Diego, the Philadelphia Union attacker had fully earned the spotlight. With five goals and seven assists, Sullivan stands as the MLS joint goal contribution leader alongside Messi. While he previously claimed he was unsure about a senior call-up to the U.S. men’s national team, reports suggest the official announcement is imminent. A week after USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino stated that his staff is “watching everything,” the midfielder appears to have gotten the message. This milestone represents the final step in his journey to the senior national team—an understanding of the demands of his dream job now that it is finally within reach.
“I’m just working to develop my game and get better day by day, hoping to keep proving myself and showing the world what I can do on the pitch, all while having fun,” he said.
As the North American World Cup captivated U.S. audiences, Sullivan’s spectacular run of form seamlessly filled the sporting attention vacuum. His rise accelerated rapidly after being handed a prominent role with the Union this summer. Having debuted in MLS at just 14 years old, his integration into the first team was initially gradual. However, under interim head coach Ryan Richter—who took over after Bradley Carnell’s dismissal just before the World Cup—Sullivan has flourished with increased minutes. He has made every moment count, attributing his success to a positive shift in the Union’s locker room culture.
“I think it was sort of just a spirit thing, a belief thing,” he said of the tonal shift for the Union, who sat below the playoff line before the World Cup but now hold a three-point cushion above it. “A healthy competitiveness. The locker room is filled with excitement to show up to training and excitement in the games. When we score, we celebrate. Sometimes we plan our celebrations, and we just have fun.”
With his 17th birthday just weeks away, there is a touch of irony in the fact that Sullivan had to wait until the second half of the MLS season for greater opportunities. Under former coach Carnell, he was limited to an average of 42.2 minutes per game over a 13-game stretch, during which he recorded only one goal and two assists. His post-World Cup performances serve as a prime example of a player seizing his moment, showcasing a more refined edge to a skillset built on exuberance and flair.
“I think it’s just like the rest of the group,” he said of surviving the team’s early-season struggles and navigating his playing time: “just head down, driven, and continue to work hard. I have this winning mentality. I’ve always loved to win, ever since I was a kid, so that’s where my competitiveness comes from. I think my drive is just natural.”
Sullivan’s grounded approach, however, is not limited to his national team aspirations. Like those around him, he recognizes that the USMNT’s generational shift is underway as the journey toward the 2030 World Cup begins with autumn friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada in late September and early October. As the fourth of four soccer-playing brothers—two of whom have represented Bangladesh’s youth national team due to their grandmother’s heritage—he sees no need to hide his ambition.
“Obviously, everyone dreams of playing for the USA,” he said. “As a kid growing up in America, it’s the ultimate goal and the biggest honor, so it would be a blessing to represent the nation. All four of the Sullivan brothers shared the dream of playing for the USA. Quinn, the older brother, has already achieved it, making it an incredibly special moment for the family.”
