Cavan Sullivan, 16, Earns USMNT Call-Up for 4 Friendlies as Pochettino Turns to Youth
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16
Cavan Sullivan, 16, Earns USMNT Call-Up for 4 Friendlies as Pochettino Turns to Youth
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 16
Summary
Four late-September and early-October friendlies could bring Cavan Sullivan his senior U.S. debut after the 16-year-old Philadelphia Union winger was called into Mauricio Pochettino’s camp.
Six goals and five assists in MLS this season helped drive the call-up, with Sullivan already set to join Manchester City at 18 and viewed as part of the U.S. buildup toward the 2030 World Cup.
Sept. 28 will mark Sullivan’s 17th birthday, and a debut would make him the second-youngest USMNT player after Freddy Adu, whose MLS youngest-player mark Sullivan broke in 2024.
Thursday’s roster announcement covers matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada, with Pochettino saying the squad will mix World Cup veterans with first-time hopefuls.
Pochettino has paired that youth push with a warning against arrogance, saying highly rated teenagers must stay humble as attention grows around prospects such as Sullivan and other emerging attackers.