Records don't last forever, especially when those records feature young players. After all, pro sports just keep getting younger and younger. And now, Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union is the record-holder for the youngest player ever to appear in an MLS game.
That's big news, given that Freddy Adu was also just 14 when he appeared in a game with the D.C. United back in 2004. But Adu was 14 years, 306 days. Sullivan is 14 years, 293 days. He entered the game against the New England Revolution on Wednesday to set the mark. Philly was up 5-1 when Sullivan entered.
Per the Associated Press:
"The young American signed the largest homegrown contract in Major League Soccer history on May 9, in a deal that stipulates Sullivan will transfer to English Premier League power Manchester City after he turns 18.
"Sullivan, whose brother Quinn also plays for the Union and scored on Wednesday in the win, didn't have many opportunities on the ball, but he did have one good run toward the end of the game that ended with a powerful shot on goal from outside the penalty area."
No less than Adu, now 35, offered a tip of the cap.
"Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today,' Adu wrote on social media. "That's a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man."
Per the AP: "Sullivan is also younger than any player who has appeared in the NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA or Major League Baseball since at least 1970, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Andrew Bynum, who debuted for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 at the age of 18 years, 6 days, holds that mark."
Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record breaking debut today. That’s a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— FREDDY ADU (@FreddyAdu) July 18, 2024
