Teenage Sensation Cavan Sullivan Shatters More USMNT Records on Stunning International Return

Even on a night when his own manager called him "solid" rather than outstanding, Cavan Sullivan still hit a new milestone.

By poking the ball into a scrambled six-yard box for Milan Iloski to tap in, Sullivan notched his 13th league assist of the season — matching the tally of none other than Lionel Messi. Combined with his seven top-flight goals, Sullivan has been directly involved in 20 MLS goals this calendar year, tying the record for the most any teenager has ever contributed in a single season across the league's 30-year history.

Alphonso Davies had managed just 19 during his impressive final campaign for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018 before his move to Bayern Munich, while Diego Fagúndez equaled Sullivan's mark back in 2013 with the New England Revolution.

Most Prolific Teenagers in MLS History

Data via MLS.

The contrasting trajectories of those two gifted predecessors highlight just how uncertain Sullivan's path ahead remains. Davies went on to become one of the world's premier left backs at Bayern, collecting every major trophy as the club's go-to speedster. Canada's skipper has also tasted international glory, netting his country's first-ever goal at a men's World Cup in 2022 before leading the nation to the round of 16 on home soil this past summer.

Fagúndez never quite reached those heights. The former Uruguay youth international never departed MLS, spending a decade as a key figure in New England before stints at Austin FC and LA Galaxy brought him back to the Revs this season. Now 31, Fagúndez has yet to establish himself as more than a squad player. While he can claim the record for the most direct goal contributions among any active MLS player, Sullivan has ambitions that stretch well beyond American shores.

If the Union's teenage sensation is to keep flourishing, racking up goal involvements even on off nights is a welcome habit to develop. "I did not think it was his best game," Philadelphia Union interim manager Ryan Richter reflected.

"He was solid, I would say. Even in a game where he wasn't electric in the way he has been in most games, he still has a hand in the first goal for the assist, and then he kind of makes the play that leads to the action for the second goal.

"Even when everything is not coming off perfectly ... he still finds a way to create both goals that we had tonight."

What Next for Sullivan?

Consistency is something to aspire to, rather than assume, for a player as young as Sullivan. The fact that the 17-year-old is currently on a streak of seven straight MLS appearances with either a goal or an assist is a remarkable run that should never be taken lightly.

Beyond raw output, Sullivan's real test is sustaining the mindset that has so impressed Mauricio Pochettino. The U.S. men's national team boss delivered a message to the teenager and his young compatriots ahead of their upcoming club fixtures before the next international window in November: stay hungry and avoid complacency.

"It's not, 'I am an international now. My teammate needs to run for me,'" Pochettino cautioned. "No, you need to run for you and for your teammate. Yes, that is a mentality that we are trying to apply and I think they are so smart and intelligent. They have talent for sure. They would use that experience to be much better players, with more experience."