Cavan Sullivan and the Philadelphia Union win U17 GA Cup after Man City-linked teenage star scores crucial goal in final vs LA Galaxy

Scoring the equalizing goal to make it 2-2 in the 47th minute of the match, Sullivan found the back of the net after a timely run behind the defense at the back-post. The 14-year-old's strike eventually sent the match to penalty kicks, where the Union claimed a 5-4 victory over LA Galaxy in the 2024 Generation Adidas Cup.

Sullivan and the Union had a brilliant tournament, with only one setbck arriving early on in the group stage, a 2-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. Regardless, they still came out on top in their group, and across the knockouts, they flourished.

First, they defeated South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in narrow fashion, claiming a 1-0 victory with just three minutes to spare. Then, in the semifinals, they defeated ex-Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis's U17 CF Flamengo side 2-0 to book their spot in the finals.

Sullivan's crucial goal in the final then told the story, as they prevailed on spot-kicks to take home the trophy.

This was the U17 Philadelphia Union squad's second-straight GA Cup victory, but for Sullivan, it's his first GA Cup title. In 2023, when playing with the U15 squad at the tournament, they lost 7-6 on penalties in the final to FC Dallas.

The 14-year-old will continue crafting his game with the Union until the finalization of his transfer to the Premier League giants. Whether or not he stays with the MLS club on loan has yet to be determined, but reports of late have suggested he will stay on loan with Philadelphia at least until his 16th birthday.