Fourteen-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan broke the record as the youngest player in Major League Soccer history.
Sullivan, who is expected to transfer to Manchester City when he turns 18 years old, came on as an 85th-minute substitute in the 5-1 victory against the New England Revolution at Subaru Park in Pennsylvania.
At 14 years and 293 days, Sullivan broke the record earlier set by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years and 306 days old when he played for DC United in 2004.
Sullivan is also the youngest North American player in the top tier of any team sport.
His brother Quinn, 20, also scored for the Union on Wednesday.
“The collaboration between the Union and the City Group was – that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They’re like every kid’s dream team,” Sullivan told ESPN, external at the time.
“For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something – I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.”
Before Sullivan’s debut, Union manager Jim Curtin told the MLS website:, external “The sky’s the limit.
“He’s a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself.”
Ethan Nwaneri is the youngest male player to appear in the English top flight. He made his Arsenal debut at 15 years and 181 days in 2022.
