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Cavan Sullivan made history as the youngest player to appear in an MLS match back in 2024 and has had a standout breakout summer with the Philadelphia Union in 2026. But his impact extends well beyond what he's doing on the field.
Now playing for the Union at 16, having first taken the pitch at just 14, Sullivan has become the first player in top-level soccer to wear Adidas' 3D-printed boots, marking a landmark moment for the technology in professional competition.
Sullivan unveiled the boots against New York Red Bulls on July 23 and has continued to use them since. They represent the newest leap forward in soccer footwear technology, following years of innovations including high-ankle socks, elastic designs, and laceless configurations.
Adidas created the boots through its R.A.P. project — short for Radical Athlete Perception — which tailors the fit precisely to each athlete's foot, accommodating their unique foot shape. Finished in pink for Sullivan, they blend in with the World Cup-inspired pink cleat trend of 2026, though a closer look reveals their truly distinctive construction.
The interwoven layers of the printed shoe feature more open mesh sections toward the upper striking zone, while the material becomes denser and more solid near the sole. The studs, by contrast, appear to be a separate component and are not made from the same 3D-printed material.
Debuted publicly at the Adidas flagship store in Las Vegas, the boots represent the technology's first foray into soccer, following the brand's earlier release of 3D-printed slip-on sneakers in 2025 using comparable manufacturing methods.
How Sullivan Has Fared in the Cleats
According to reports, Adidas selected Sullivan to front the boots based on his talent and confidence as one of the most electrifying young players in the game and a rising American star. Since stepping onto the pitch in them, he's delivered impressive performances.
Against the Red Bulls, he led all players with six successful dribbles and created a chance, standing out above other promising U.S. men's national team youngsters on the field, including 17-year-old Julian Hall, who had been among the top forwards earlier in the season.
Following that Red Bulls fixture, Sullivan helped propel the Union to a thrilling 3–2 victory over Atlanta United and was the standout performer in the Leagues Cup opening defeat to Cruz Azul, where his side fell 1–0 to the Mexican powerhouse despite his five dribbles and two created chances.
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"Innovation at Adidas is about creating the best for the athlete, at speed," Alasdhair Willis, chief creative officer at Adidas, told The Athletic. "Project R.A.P. is an innovation platform focused on how we deliver feel of movement and a bespoke fit in sports performance products that is progressive and unlocks true athlete benefit.
"Cavan is the perfect athlete to showcase the potential of this innovation, a future star on and off the field, an open and curious mindset, matched with an exciting playing style."
Slated to join Manchester City when he turns 18, Sullivan has contributed a goal and an assist across nine MLS appearances this season, and has grown into a more prominent role under interim head coach Ryan Richter, who stepped in after the defending Supporters' Shield holders found themselves at the foot of the table under 2025 MLS Coach of the Year, Bradley Carnell.