Cavan Sullivan reflects on a historic night 🙌#DOOP pic.twitter.com/yiETHygisg— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 27, 2026
Most attackers try something and if it doesn't work, they roll the ball back and drop a pass to midfield. When attacking, Cavan has a plan A, plan B, plan C.. He's relentless and that's what makes him successful. The last thing I want Carnell doing is making him play safe. There will be 40 yard volleys that go out for throw-ins, but there will also be magic.
I don’t expect him to start this weekend having started last night, but feeling like he’s deserved a start the following weekend.
He did what we wanted! Defence Force isn't good. Philadelphia gave him the start and he nailed it. Did what he needed to do. Hopefully he's earned more playing time now against more difficult opponents in more meaningful games. The coaching staff should be able to trust him at this point....................................(for Pete's sake). Good to see Sal Olivas getting into the game as well. The Union play Club America in the next round!
He’s starting to catch up physically. It looks like he’s 10lbs bigger from being a little taller and stronger from last season. He was on the wing last night which I’m hoping doesn’t become a regular thing. As long as some of his minutes are as an 8/10.
That's actually pretty common for younger players to get their feet wet. I remember Henry being a winger for Juventus back when they were loaded.
Philly still plays with two strikers, two wide 10s and two 6s. Oddly, he played on the left but all of his goal contributions came from the right or central. I'm not too impressed with Philly's striker corp, so I'm hoping Iloski gets pushed forward which will give more time for Cavan. It was nice to see Olivas getting mins and looking good.
Cavan got about 18 real minutes (it'll read 8) at the end of the Philly game today. Carnell probably waited too long to bring him and other offensive players on. He had a couple of nice plays offensively, one of which led to a nice shot, but overall wasn't terribly involved. Did commit one unnecessary foul that gave NYCFC a decent FK. Philly lost 2-1 as they they played their terrorism ball. Carnell continues to put out a team that has two half creators in it and just kind of hope they get a goal from the chaos, but without a Baribo type at striker, it feels more like dumb luck when they score. For some reason, Westfield played on the right and Harriel on the left, but most of the time the ball went through Harriel. No idea why. I don't know that there's a good answer for Philly, but he could probably start by giving Westfield more of Wagner's old role and I think he's going to have to play someone more attacking to make up for the fact that I don't think either of their strikers is the level of guy they've relied on in recent years. Illoski is good but Lukic is timid and Vassilev is simply not much of a creator. Mediocre strikers right now are relying on Iloski or luck. That's just not a good combo. Quinn would make a ton of difference for this team, as would getting a second fullback who can do something.
Philly purged a group of important first team players from the Supporter's Shield winners in the off-season, and are still adjusting. Still figuring things out. Now's when Carnell earns that paycheck. We'll see how it goes. Its early. They're not the only team that's started out of the gate slowly. Philly must have a lot of GAM/etc. to play with in the summer window. It'll be interesting to see how they use it. Well, I guess we know how they'll use it. We know their MO. Some years it works and some years it doesn't. Sullivan played a lot of minutes midweek. I'm really not worried that he only came on deep into the second half here.
The team setup is screaming for a creative player and we all know of one if Carnell is ready to pull the trigger. I do agree that since he went 90 mid week that not playing much this weekend is ok, but hopefully it won't be a thing for too much longer.
They have games the 7th, 10th, 14th, 18th, and 21st of this month. [Then there's a FIFA window.] There's Significant fixture congestion this month. I'll be shocked if Cavan doesn't continue getting some starts. It should be noted that Philly has also gotten red cards in their first two league games. Not a particularly good strategy.
I don't feel that Sullivan needs the same minutes as Yamal, but it is aggravating that Yamal got so many minutes at Barca at 16 and Sullivan might not get them at -- checks notes -- Philadelphia Football Union FC. Fingers-crossed. Too bad he doesn't have a Michael Bradley as manager.
I'm not overly confident in Carnell but this really isn't a great comparison for a variety of reasons. Yamal is exactly the type of player who is ready early and actually peaks early -- fast, dribbly wingers are basically the easiest and smartest players to play young. He is also bigger than Cavan and was at 16. And he's probably better. Given he's one of the best players in the world and was already incredibly effective at that point. I'm huge on Cavan's potential and he makes some really nice plays, but he's not looked like the level of impact Yamal had at the same time. Some of that is positional, but some of that is that Yamal was better. Guys like Yamal are pretty damn rare. We also don't know what the knock-ons of playing that much that early, again. Michael Owen, anyone?
The Union have played four games. Cavan has appeared in ALL OF THEM. [2 in the league and 2 in the CCC] Started one. No reason for navel-gazing. Cavan Sullivan is YOUNGER than everyone that's played for RBNY. I know that doesn't seem right because we've known about Cavan much longer. He's like half a year younger than Adri Mehmeti. He's more than a year younger than Julian Hall and Matthew dos Santos. Its an interesting experiment to see how many players YOUNGER than Cavan have played in certain Euro leagues this year. How many players YOUNGER than Cavan have played in La Liga? I'll give ya'll one guess.
Lamine was still pretty spindly at 16. And the stakes for Barca are leagues beyond the (cheese)stakes for Philly. Owen is merely a red herring, since he was a striker. Gilberto Mora? If Mehmeti goes about 90 in a game or so, he'll have more MLS minutes than Sullivan in his career. There is no way to paint the Union as a positive for Sullivan. It's embarrassing for him.
That would be a cool gotcha if it weren't for the fact that the market value of La Liga's players is still more than double that of MLS EVEN IF YOU TAKE OUT BARCA AND MADRID. MLS bootlicking isn't going to make our young players develop.
LOL at the drama. Owen's not a red herring. It's bizarre to think long term health should not be a consideration. I mean, sure, YOU really want to see the dude, so who cares? Cavan has about 600 minutes with Philly over his career. So no.
I’m usually on the exact same page as you, but I get the vibe that Sullivan will get a fair shot this year.
Is this not an internet board? Although I applaud you upping the drama in your replies to make this more fun for me. It's weird that you don't think physical demands are different for different play styles and strengths. But ok. "MLS minutes" specifically refers to "MLS minutes" not "minutes played for Philly in games outside of MLS games." That is to say, 251. https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/cavan-sullivan/stats/
I hope he does. I am unashamed to admit that I care about MLS only insofar as young US players develop and get opportunities. So my bias is on the table. I do not like how Sullivan has been handled at Philly. His coaches are mediocre and his opportunities have been too limited. The contrast to Bradley's start at RBNY is stark. Maybe Bradley will be a flop and he'll change his strategy, but as of now I would be shocked if Sullivan wasn't pissed.
So, yeah, you used the words "MLS Bootlicker" and now you are doing that fun thing where you pretend you're just a troll and somehow I'm upset. It's such a tired response. Dude, I hope you are 15 or under because otherwise I'd be embarrassed for you. Of course they are. I didn't say anything to the contrary. In fact, I pointed that out with Yamal, who plays a less physically demanding position. But the reality is you simply said that Owen doesn't count ... you made no case that Central midfield for a Red Bull style team for a physical player who gets tackled a ton isn't a physically demanding position. Dude has started two games and subbed on for two games this season so far. Yes, physical demands should be a considered, not your weird need to see the player. (And no, no one thinks this is spurred by an honest concern for Cavan's development). Ah, those other minutes don't count! Definitely no development going on there.
So pick a league other than La Liga. Pick a developmental league. How many players younger than Cavan Sullivan have played in Belgium this year? Zero. The youngest player in Belgium this season has been Xander Dierckx of Royal Antwerp. He was born in February of 2009. Cavan Sulivan was born in September of 2009. Cavan is VERY young. He's been around so long that folks forget how young he still is. Adri Mehmeti of RBNY, who was born in April of 2009, would ALSO be the youngest player in the Belgian Pro League. He's started both of RBNY's league games. So would Mathew Arana of Houston, who played last weekend.