Current:Home > MarketsCavan Sullivan becomes youngest in US major sports to make pro debut-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Cavan Sullivan becomes youngest in US major sports to make pro debut
View Date:2024-12-23 23:39:19
Cavan Sullivan has become the youngest player in MLS history, and the youngest to debut in any major professional U.S. sports league.
Sullivan — who signed with the Philadelphia Union on May 9 — came on as a substitute in the 85th minute in the Union's 5-1 win against the New England Revolution on Wednesday night. Sullivan entered the game moments after a goal from his brother, Quinn, gave the Union a four-goal lead. Sullivan had a shot on goal in the 93rd minute, but the attempt from outside the 18-yard box was saved by Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.
Sullivan made his debut at 14 years and 293 days old, making him younger than Freddy Adu was when Adu made his debut for D.C. United in 2004 (14 years, 306 days old).
"This is just the first chapter in Cavan's career," Union coach Jim Curtin said following the game. "The time was right to give him an opportunity. This first step was something that was planned by the Union, by Cavan, by his family, by big clubs in Europe.
"The reality is he's not a normal kid. We've known that from the start. He's different. He has a different trajectory than other players. … There's a special plan for him."
'The place had a buzz'
The victory was the first for the Union since May 18 and the first at home since March 30.
"You could feel the energy in the stadium tonight," Curtin said. "(Cavan) now steps on the field and the place had a buzz."
The Union entered Wednesday night's match riding a 10-game winless streak, a slump that had pushed Philadelphia into an unfamiliar spot — the cellar of the Eastern Conference. With the win, the Union move to within easy striking distance of a playoff spot with 10 more regular-season games to play.
The Union have been one of the league's powerhouse teams in recent years. Philadelphia qualified for the MLS playoffs in the previous six seasons, won the 2020 Supporters' Shield, lost in an epic 2022 MLS championship game and competed in the Concacaf Champions League in three of the previous four years, including this season.
Who are the youngest players to debut in MLS history?
- Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union on July 17, 2024) - 14 years, 293 days
- Freddy Adu (D.C. United on April 3, 2004) – 14 years, 306 days
- Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls on Sept. 30, 2023) – 15 years, 190 days
- Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 16, 2016) – 15 years, 257 days
- Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake on Oct. 14, 2023) – 15 years, 288 days
Who are the youngest players to play American professional team sports?
Here are the youngest players to debut in American sports leagues (since 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau):
➤ NWSL: Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave on April 29, 2023) – 15 years, 181 days
➤ NBA: Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 2, 2005) – 18 years, 6 days
➤ NHL: Patrick Marleau (San Jose Sharks on Oct. 1, 1997) – 18 years, 16 days
➤ MLB: David Clyde (Texas Rangers on June 27, 1973) – 18 years, 66 days
➤ WNBA: Maria Stepanova (Phoenix Mercury on June 11, 1998) – 19 years, 108 days
➤ NFL: Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans on Sept. 9, 2007) – 20 years, 91 days
Who are the youngest players to debut in European soccer leagues?
Here are the youngest players to debut in the five major European soccer leagues (since 1988, according to Football Reference):
➤ English Premier League (England): Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal on Sept. 18, 2022) – 15 years, 181 days
➤ La Liga (Spain): Luka Romero (Mallorca on June 24, 2020) – 15 years, 219 days
➤ Serie A (Italy): Francesco Camarda (AC Milan on Nov. 25, 2023) – 15 years, 260 days
➤ Bundesliga (Germany): Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 21, 2020) – 16 years, 1 day
➤ Ligue 1 (France): Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille on Oct. 22, 2023) – 16 years, 20 days
Contributing: Safid Deen, USA TODAY Sports
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (6127)
Related
- Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
- Investigators believe Wisconsin kayaker faked his own death before fleeing to eastern Europe
- My Chemical Romance returns with ‘The Black Parade’ tour
- Disruptions to Amtrak service continue after fire near tracks in New York City
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight odds will shift the longer the heavyweight bout goes
- MLS Star Marco Angulo Dead at 22 One Month After Car Crash
- John Krasinski Reveals Wife Emily Blunt's Hilarious Response to His Sexiest Man Alive Title
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
Ranking
- Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
- Patricia Heaton criticizes media, 'extremists' she says 'fear-mongered' in 2024 election
- Denzel Washington teases retirement — and a role in 'Black Panther 3'
- Dallas Long, who won 2 Olympic medals while dominating the shot put in the 1960s, has died at 84
- John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
- College Football Playoff ranking release: Army, Georgia lead winners and losers
- As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
- Roster limits in college small sports put athletes on chopping block while coaches look for answers
Recommendation
-
2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
-
TikToker Campbell “Pookie” Puckett Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Jett Puckett
-
Suspect in deadly 2023 Atlanta shooting is deemed not competent to stand trial
-
New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
-
Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
-
Lululemon, Disney partner for 34-piece collection and campaign: 'A dream collaboration'