Could Cavan Sullivan be our Lamine Yamal in WC 2026?

.15 xG + .16 xA per 96

 

I absolutely hear ya on the work rate, but a huge factor in Gio being Gio is his size.

I think Cavan’s dribbling against elite athletes will have to show better than adequate in order for him to make a WC roster unless he gets bigger.

I think a better young player comp for him would be Pedri. Not sure if he’ll have THAT kind of work rate though.

 

The key characteristics I see in the top players are great balance, great first touch, quick lateral movement, speed with the ball. He has all those things. Having said that, there is a graveyard full of players who were spectacular at 14, but never reached their potential.

 

Re: dribbling, I think his ball control is excellent. I just mean he won't be a perimeter one on one guy at the highest levels. That's so much related to speed/quickness these days.

 

Well he turns 15 in about 7 weeks, so there's hope

 

For most boys, they show the most growth during years 13-17. You put any teenage boy who keeps his head down and works hard and he should get better (should see gains in strength, speed, skills, tactics, etc.). You put the best you have in the best academies around, and they (should) grow tremendously. I believe Cavan will only get better if he stays grounded and has good guidance.

 

Agree he could improve athletically a lot and yet still miss out on '26. He would be the youngest ever so the implies he'd have to be one of the best ever or we would have to be desperate. In '22 he might have had a much better chance but the missing generation is almost out of the picture and spots are much harder to get because of it.

 

Gio's size is irrelevant. He isn't physical at all, he goes down under minimal pressure, and not good on defense. Plenty of smaller CMs are much stronger than him.

 

So much parrot

 

Gio’s not strong on the ball? It always seems like he’s a hack away from getting a yellow too.

Is Pulisic slow too?

 

Strong on the ball and physical isn't the same. It's difficult to take the ball from him because of his ability to move, not because he can go through the tackle. Instead of bringing unrelated Pulisic may be you have some clips of him tackling someone?
Not even at Adams level, but maybe at AMorris or Weston level? All three are much smaller than him. Again how is he using his size?

 

Burchimas has a better shot of making the team than Cavan IMO.

 

He has a unique combination of length (size) and skill allows him to shield well, even when running with the ball. It makes him prone to hard fouls- but that’s the thing- you actually have to foul him because he so easily just pushes the ball away from you.

I never said he was Patrick Viera

He is far too often a nonchalant and disengaged player, but he is absolutely not a soft player in any regard.

 

As a winger, he cannot dribble anyone.

 

Cavan Sullivan with another assist.

14-YEAR-OLD CAVAN SULLIVAN SOLO RUN FOR HIS 3RD ASSIST IN THE @mlsnextpro 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jo2knQZ0xC

— Footy Access (@footy_access) August 10, 2024

 

Looks like it was heading for the goal on its own.

 

maybe, gk looked like he forgot the match started

 

WOW! That's a bold prediction from here.

Hope you're right.

 

It's a near impossible ask.

Almost no reason to expect it. But as many here, I will be following his production as that's going to really tell the tale over the next 14 months.

 

I generally agree but I don’t think he needs to crush it throughout the mls season in 2025. He just needs to be good enough to earn at least a camp cupcake spot, and maybe a November call up. Do that, shine with the usmnt, and crush it in mls in the spring of 2026 and he will have a shot. I think the chances of this happening are very low, but things happen fast with top prospects. I just don’t think looking good in the spring of 2026 in mls will be enough. He needs to do enough to be in the picture by 2025.

 

I feel like I’ve now watched him play enough that I feel comfortable with such a prediction with the only thing that could maybe sidetrack him being injury.

The big question will be how does he grow and develop physically over the next few years and what level athlete will he be once he matures.

Tanner gave the comparison to the Athletic as Dominik Szoboszlai and I feel like that’s a good one.

 

I haven't seen him at all, and you're a smart poster so I can't say I don't trust you. I'm just saying that the odds for anyone in this position are absolutely miniscule... but he might be that good! I definitely hope you're right.

This is confusing to me, because I have seen a lot of Szoboszlai, and he's not a visionary passer at all from what I've seen.

 

I think with Cavan definitely has more potential as passer if he hits his ceiling but I think it fits otherwise.

 

Just from this video, I would say Cole Campbell is a much better dribbler.

 

Yup cavan can do it and I think a lot of people want him to as well. America wants a soccer star and 2026 wc and 2028 olympics will be the platform