September 18: Homegrown Major League Soccer Philadelphia Union star Cavan Sullivan has been called up to the US men’s national team for a potential senior debut, one of several younger players in the upcoming camp.
Called up by Mauricio Pochettino for four friendlies in late September and early October, Sullivan has six goals and five assists in MLS this season, and will join Manchester City when he turns 18. At 17 on September 28, he would be the second-youngest American debutant behind only Freddy Adu, a name that remains in the chase for most goals by Adu, or with an Adu contribution record. under and as the youngest player in MLS.
Pochettino, starting his second term, said the field would mix World Cup players with new faces as the United States builds toward 2030, along with the 2028 Olympics. Goalkeeper Diego Kochen, on loan from Barcelona’s Lyngby, is also in friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada.
But Pochettino combined the excitement with a pointed warning about young players coming forward. “You only have the right to talk a little out of order if you’re Messi,” he said. “If you’ve won eight Ballon d’Or, OK, you can talk with some arrogance. But even Messi, you’ll never hear him talk like that.”
Many read this as aimed at players like Zavier Gozo, who said he “deserved” to be at the World Cup, and Sullivan himself, who suggested he could have made the difference against Belgium. “Respect is the most important thing,” added Pochettino.
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