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Cavan Sullivan 2024@cavan.sull/Major League Soccer

VIDEO: 14-year-old Philadelphia Union prodigy Cavan Sullivan breaks Freddy Adu's youngest MLS player record

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  • Cavan Sullivan called up to Union first-team
  • Made his senior debut
  • Snaps Freddy Adu's longtime record
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Philadelphia Union prodigy Cavan Sullivan, who recently signed the largest homegrown deal in MLS history, became the youngest player to appear in an MLS match as the Philadelphia Union ended a 10-game winless streak with a 5-1 win over New England on Wednesday night.

    Sullivan — at 14 years, 293 days — came on in the 85th minute, topping Freddy Adu's the record by 13 days. Adu had set the mark at 14 years, 306 days when he debuted for D.C. United in 2004.

    Sullivan's contract includes a clause that will see him move to Premier League powerhouse Manchester City at age 18.

    After Sullivan broke his record, Adu posted on social media: "Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today. That's a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man."

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  • Cavan Sullivan USA Today Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Sullivan has recently bagged two goals with the Union's MLS NEXT Pro side in back-to-back matches, prompting his call-up to the senior roster.

    Sullivan became the youngest player to make his debut among the major North American professional sports leagues (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL), per the Elias Sports Bureau. Adu had previously held that record, as well.

    Sullivan also became the youngest professional soccer player to make his debut among the top five European soccer leagues (English Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, Serie A), the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, per FBref.

  • Jim CurtinGetty

    WHAT JIM CURTIN SAID

    "He will be in the 20 because he's earned that. If you look at his performances in Union II games, the goals that he has scored, Cavan has earned the right," Curtin said in advance of the match. "The next step is working to get your first minutes and that might be one minute, might be 15 minutes or that might be 90 minutes, but you have to earn it."