Cavan Sullivan is dominating MLS at 16 - Man City have signed a superstar

Analysis

Tom Weber | Writer

Manchester City's decision to sign Cavan Sullivan at just 14 years of age increasingly looks like a masterstroke, with the now-16-year-old tearing up Major League Soccer with the Philadelphia Union.

The teenage phenom has been regarded as the biggest talent in the US Soccer pool for years, and he is more and more living up to the hype. Signed to the largest homegrown contract in MLS history at 14, Sullivan will join Man City when he turns 18.

In the meantime, he is continuing his development with hometown club Philadelphia Union, a team he is increasingly making his own. After making his senior debut in 2024 and receiving some brief cameos in the Supporters' Shield-winning 2025 season, Sullivan is now an undisputed starter.

Remarkably, the 16-year-old has been one of the best players in MLS over the past month. Since 10 August, he has scored six goals and produced five assists in eight matches. He is playing out of his mind right now.

On Sunday, he put in a man-of-the-match display in a 5-0 beatdown of San Diego FC, bagging two goals, including a wonderful backheeled finish. Understandably, he is the name on everyone's lips right now.

From frustration to elation

The playmaker's recent burst of attacking output can be explained quite easily: the Philadelphia Union are flying under interim head coach Ryan Richter. The 36-year-old has not lost any of his 10 matches in charge so far.

It has been a hugely impressive turnaround for a side that was one of the worst in MLS in the early stages of the season under then-coach Bradley Carnell. Richter has brought the feel-good vibes back to the City of Brotherly Love.

He has done so by putting his trust in Sullivan, whom he previously coached in the Union's reserves. Carnell, for some reason, was reluctant to consistently play the 16-year-old, even when he impressed as a substitute and was easily the club's most dangerous attacker.

Richter has rectified his predecessor's mistakes. Sullivan has started every league game under the interim coach, and he is handsomely repaying this faith. He is now one of the biggest attractions in MLS.

The Union's recent resurgence has also been boosted by the return of Sullivan's older brother, Quinn, from his ACL injury. The 22-year-old has picked up right where he left off last season when he was on the verge of establishing himself as a regular for the USMNT.

How good can Sullivan become?

There is ample evidence (looking at you, Chelsea) that pre-agreeing deals for teenagers before they turn 18 is a huge risk because player development is not linear. Impressing at 15 or 16 is one thing; becoming a Premier League-level player at 18 is another.

Man City's decision to put their faith in Sullivan, however, looks like a shrewd one. What will be particularly heartening beyond his impressive performances is his mentality.

Despite being the golden boy of American soccer, Sullivan has remained grounded and is not showing any indications of entitlement. During interviews, he always puts the team first.

Despite his youth and role in the team as a creative outlet, the youngster is not afraid to get stuck in and bite back at opponents who attempt to rough him up. For a playmaker, Sullivan covers a lot of ground and puts in the hard yards.

He needs to become more physical if he wants to have a chance of making it in the Premier League, but he still has two years to hit the gym. That said, he actually could already move to one of Man City's European sister clubs due to his German roots.

At this stage, however, staying at Philadelphia is clearly the best course of action. No club in MLS is better at nurturing young talent than the Union, and with Richter now in charge, Sullivan is getting plenty of minutes.

The teenager has primarily played as a right winger, and data analytics firm SciSports ranks him as one of the top wide players in MLS this year. Sullivan has enjoyed "rapid development" in recent months.

In terms of his potential, he is one of the top young prospects in world football. He currently sits fifth among teenage right-wingers who can be described as "wide playmakers," according to SciSports.

In a way, Sullivan is reminiscent of former Man City star Bernardo Silva, not just in terms of his playing style but also in his demeanour. He doesn't take sh*t from anyone and works hard for the team.

Man City may still have to wait two years to welcome Sullivan to the Etihad, but it is already clear that they have a hugely exciting talent on their hands.