Cavan Sullivan makes USMNT debut at age 16

Cavan Sullivan is making his U.S. men's national team debut against Peru on Saturday, Sept. 26, starting the match in Orlando.

At age 16 years, 363 days, Sullivan is now the fourth-youngest player in USMNT history.

Sullivan earned his first USMNT call-up thanks to an outstanding run with the Philadelphia Union, where he has nine goals and 15 assists across all competitions this season. That includes goal contributions in each of his last seven league games.

Freddy Adu holds the record for the youngest-ever USMNT player, having made his senior debut in 2006 at the age of 16 years, 234 days.

Adu previously held the record for youngest MLS player ever, but Sullivan broke that record in 2024 when he made his MLS debut at 14 years and 293 days old.

Who are the youngest USMNT players ever?

1. Freddy Adu — 16 years, 234 days — Jan. 22, 2006 vs. Canada
2. Mike Slivinski — 16 years, 318 days — Sept. 14, 1991 vs. Jamaica
3. Mark Jonas — 16 years, 332 days — Sept. 14, 1991 vs. Jamaica
4. Cavan Sullivan — 16 years, 363 days — Sept. 26, 2026 vs. Peru
5. Nelson Vargas — 17 years, 39 days — Sept. 14, 1991 vs. Jamaica
6. Maurice Ligeon — 17 years, 47 days — Oct. 19, 1994 vs. Saudi Arabia
7. Steve Snow — 17 years, 104 days — June 14, 1988 vs. Costa Rica
8. Bobby Convey — 17 years, 151 days — Oct. 25, 2000 vs. Mexico
9. Christian Pulisic — 17 years, 193 days — March 29, 2016 vs. Guatemala
10. Poli Garcia — 17 years, 225 days — Aug. 21, 1975 vs. Argentina
11. Eddie Gaven — 17 years, 259 days — July 11, 2004 vs. Poland
12. Yunus Musah — 17 years, 348 days — Nov. 12, 2020 at Wales
13. Gio Reyna — 17 years, 364 days — Nov. 12, 2020 at Wales

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Sullivan becomes fourth all-time

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cavan Sullivan makes USMNT debut at age 16