October 5: The next big thing in American football, Cavan Sullivan, had his big moment. the weekend
The 17-year-old scored his first international goal against CONCACAF rivals Mexico on Saturday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, becoming the youngest goalscorer in U.S. history.
It came from a gift. Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel mishandled the ball, and Sullivan cut it in from distance to make it 2-0.
This record was short-lived for its previous holder. Just days earlier, Mathis Albert, aged 17 years and 131 days, had caught Christian Pulisic with a late goal in a 4-2 win in Chile. Albert plays for Borussia Dortmund, where Pulisic went.
Sullivan was also the youngest American to start against Mexico at 17 years and five days, according to US Soccer. It was his third cap.
The Landon Donovan comparison writes itself. Donovan scored against Mexico in his 18-year-old debut, the first of six goals he scored against El Tri, more than any other American.
Sullivan has been touted as the next big thing for years. Since returning to the Philadelphia Union after the World Cup, he has been playing like this.
Sullivan is due to move to Manchester City in January 2028, the earliest window he can move abroad after turning 18. The deal was agreed when he signed a local agreement with the Union at the age of 14. According to The Athletic, City’s guilty verdict on more than 100 breaches of financial rules has not changed his mind, although he could change his mind about joining the club.
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