Cavan Sullivan makes pro debut, youngest player in North American sports and European top five leagues history

Cavan Sullivan became the youngest professional athlete to make his professional debut in North American sports history when he came on in the 85th minute for the Philadelphia Union against the New England Revolution.

Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin announced earlier this week that Sullivan would be in the first-team squad for its Wednesday night match. "Tomorrow he will be in the 20 because he's earned that. If you look at his performances in the Union II games, the goals that he has scored, Cavan has earned the right," Curtin said Tuesday afternoon.

Sullivan is one of the most highly touted American players who will join Manchester City when he turns 18 in 2027.

The Union came into the night last in the MLS Eastern Conference looking for a spark to jolt their season. A hat-trick from Tai Baribo put the team 4-1 up jumping from 15th to 12th in the standings. Cavan's brother, Quinn, scored in the 84th minute right before he came on in the 85th.

A big result was likely necessary to give Sullivan a comfortable situation to enter at just 14-years-old. A similar comparison can be drawn to Premier League side Arsenal who debuted Ethan Nwaneri at 15-years-old two seasons ago in a 3-0 win at Brentford. Nwaneri broke a club record held by Cesc Fabregas which was set in 2003, and a league record set by Harvey Elliot in 2019.

Sullivan broke Adu's record which has stood for 20 years. Not only is Sullivan the youngest player make his debut among the top five European leagues (Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, LaLiga, Serie A) and UEFA's Champions and Europa Leagues, but he's the youngest player to debut in the top North American professional sports leagues (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL, WNBA).

He wasn't the only player to make his debut on the night. New England homegrown player Peyton Miller came on late in the second half making his debut at 16-years-old.

Youngest MLS players to sign first-team contracts

1. Maximo Carrizo (New York City FC, 2022) – 14 years, 0 days
2. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake, 2022) – 14 years, 15 days
3. Freddy Adu (D.C. United, 2004) – 14 years, 168 days
4. Emmanuel Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes, 2019) – 14 years, 191 days
5. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union, 2024) – 14 years and 224 days
6. Christian McFarlane (New York City FC, 2021) – 14 years, 234 days
7. Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC, 2022) – 14 years, 268 days
8. Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire, 2019) – 14 years, 297 days
9. Chance Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes, 2023) – 14 years, 318 days
10. Bento Estrela (New York Red Bulls, 2021) – 14 years, 364 days

Youngest MLS players to make professional debut

1. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union on 7/17/2024) - 14 years, 293 days old
2. Freddy Adu (D.C. United on 4/3/2004) – 14 years, 306 days
3. Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls on 9/30/2023) – 15 years, 190 days
4. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 7/16/2016) – 15 years, 257 days
5. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake on 10/142023) – 15 years, 288 days
6. Matai Akinmboni (D.C. United on 9/10/2022) – 15 years, 328 days
7. Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC on 7/22/2021) – 15 years, 351 days
8. Erik Duenas (LAFC on 10/14/2020) – 15 years, 362 days
9. Stiven Jimenez (FC Cincinnati on 6/21/2023) – 15 years, 362 days
10. Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC on 2/24/2024) – 16 years, 2 days

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