Cavan Sullivan makes MLS debut at age 14, setting a new record

(Photo Credit: USA Today Sports / Imagn)

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Union Homegrown midfielder Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player to debut for a North American major league sports team on Wednesday night, stepping onto the field at the age of 14 years and 293 days old.

Sullivan’s history-making appearance surpasses the previous record holder, Freddy Adu, who made his debut at 14 years and 306 days old for D.C. United on April 3, 2004.

Sullivan came off the bench in the 85th minute with Philadelphia leading in Wednesday’s victory against the New England Revolution for his official MLS debut. The Union went on to defeat the Revolution, 5-1, including a goal by his older brother Quinn Sullivan (WATCH HERE).

A full list of the youngest debutants in each top North American professional sports league history:

• MLS (per Elias Sports Bureau) – Cavan Sullivan (14 years, 293 days) 
• NWSL – Melanie Barcenas (15 years and 181 days)
• NBA (since 1970, per Elias Sports Bureau) – Andrew Bynum (18 years, 6 days)
• NHL (since 1970, per Elias Sports Bureau – Patrick Marleau (18 years, 16 days)
• MLB (since 1970, per Elias Sports Bureau) – David Clyde (18 years, 66 days)
• WNBA (per Elias Sports Bureau) – Maria Stepanova (19 years, 108 days)
• NFL (since 1970, per Elias Sports Bureau) – Amobi Okoye (20 years, 91 days)

Five of the top-10 youngest players to make their MLS debuts have done so since the start of the 2023 MLS regular season.

A full list of the top-10 youngest debutants in MLS history can be found below:

1. Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union in 2024) – 14 years, 293 days 
2. Freddy Adu (D.C. United in 2004) – 14 years, 306 days
3. Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls in 2023) – 15 years, 190 days
4. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2016) – 15 years, 257 days
5. Axel Kei (Real Salt Lake in 2023) – 15 years, 288 days
6. Matai Akinmboni (D.C. United in 2022) – 15 years, 328 days
7. Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC in 2021) – 15 years, 351 days
T-8. Erik Duenas (LAFC in 2020) – 15 years, 362 days
T-8. Stiven Jimenez (FC Cincinnati in 2023) – 15 years, 362 days
10. Nimfasha Berchimas (Charlotte FC in 2024) – 16 years, 2 days

Incredible finish from Quinn Sullivan! 😤

Plus a sweet celebration with his brother Cavan, getting ready for his debut. pic.twitter.com/1WJmYD1iwg

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 18, 2024