Cavan Sullivan, 16, scores and assists in Philadelphia Union’s Leagues Cup win

With a bit more playing time and a lot more productivity, the substance is beginning to match the hype for Cavan Sullivan.

The 16-year-old Philadelphia Union rising star, who already has a deal to join Manchester City when he turns 18, scored and assisted in his side’s 3-1 Leagues Cup win over Liga MX’s Necaxa Sunday night, continuing a surge in form that has come with greater first-team opportunity. Sullivan has started 10 of the Union’s last 11 matches in all competitions, including all five since the World Cup break under interim manager Ryan Richter, and he has two goals and four assists in that time to show for it, including his contribution on Sunday.

Sullivan wasted little time vs. Necaxa, surging into the center with a stepover before slotting out a pass wide right for Nathan Harriel, who scored the opener in the third minute.

Hot start from the Boys in Blue #DOOP | 1-0 pic.twitter.com/3hcHvzNYku

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) August 9, 2026

He then got his own tally, just the fourth of his career in all competitions, by chesting down a cross from Indiana Vassilev at the back post and quickly scoring with his left off the bounce in the 53rd minute. It was his first Leagues Cup goal, to go with two in the Concacaf Champions Cup and one in MLS, all this season. He exited the match in the 60th minute, with the result well in hand.

Take a bow, Cavan Sullivan @PhilaUnion extend their lead over Necaxa!

Apple TV: https://t.co/YbTAHKliVm pic.twitter.com/wijj0PtADi

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 10, 2026

Given the headlines generated by his early Man City commitment and the expectations bestowed upon him as a “next-big-thing” prospect as a result, the onus has been put on Sullivan at an early age to deliver when given the chance. He did so Sunday, though it’s not likely to be enough to prolong the Union’s stay in the competition, following the club’s 1-0 loss to Cruz Azul to begin the opening phase.

The top four of the 18 MLS teams competing advance after the three-game stage, leaving Philadelphia needing a lopsided win in its group finale and a whole host of help, with six points being highly improbable to be enough to secure a quarterfinal berth.