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Cavan Sullivan is set to miss his second straight game this week due to an injury, raising concerns among American supporters just weeks before the U.S. men's national team's November camp.
Still in the hunt for a playoff berth, the Philadelphia Union travel to Geodis Park to take on Nashville SC on Wednesday night. As if facing the league's top side and newly crowned Supporters' Shield champions wasn't challenging enough, the Union will be forced to cope without their standout player, who was ruled out on Tuesday evening.
Sullivan has dazzled in MLS ever since interim boss Ryan Richter took charge this summer and handed the 17-year-old winger a genuine opportunity. With seven goals and 14 assists to his name, the youngster has established himself as a legend in the making and the face of American soccer's future.
He edged out the likes of Lionel Messi to claim the MLS Player of the Month award for September and even etched his name in history as the youngest USMNT goalscorer ever during his debut camp under manager Mauricio Pochettino earlier this month.
The teenager may be beating the odds, but he remains human after all. Richter will need him fit for the Union's playoff charge, while Pochettino will require him at full fitness to include him in the upcoming Concacaf Nations League squad.
What Injury Does Cavan Sullivan Have?
Sullivan picked up an ankle injury on Oct. 17 during the 2–2 draw against Charlotte FC. Despite the spirited teenager gutting it out through the pain to complete all 90 minutes, the knock has kept him out of action ever since.
Richter had anticipated Sullivan would be available for the weekend clash with the New England Revolution, saying last Thursday: "He's all good. He took a knock in the game on Saturday against Charlotte, and we're just trying to manage that through this week. But he should be available for Saturday. He was out on the field today, but like I said, just managing that through the week and trying to get him so that he's at his best for this weekend."
Sullivan, however, was listed as unavailable by Friday evening, and the teenager could only watch helplessly as his side suffered its first defeat in 16 league games, ending an unbeaten run that stretched all the way back to May.
The sixth-placed Union fell 2–1 to the second-ranked Revs, and Sullivan will now also miss the showdown with top-ranked Nashville.
When Will Cavan Sullivan Return From Injury?
The timeline for Sullivan's return remains unclear; however, given that Richter described him as "questionable" during Monday's press conference, it appears he is at least making some progress toward recovery.
The key question is whether he can get fit in time for the next international window, with Pochettino expected to announce his squad sometime next week. The Stars and Stripes are set to gather on Nov. 9, ahead of back-to-back matches against Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals — their first competitive games since the 2026 World Cup.
Sullivan will be keen to keep building his reputation on the world stage, and Pochettino will undoubtedly want to see whether he truly represents the future of the USMNT.