The Man City-bound midfielder found the net from distance to secure an Eastern Conference championship for the Union's MLS Next Pro side
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Sullivan scored from 35 yards out in 4-0 winHas found the net five times in MLS Next ProReportedly set for big-money move to Man City in 2027Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowUSA Today ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
In the 41st minute of the Union II's Eastern Conference Final, Cavan Sullivan received the ball 40 yards from goal, with space to run into. The 15-year-old took two touches – one to get the ball out of his feet, a second to knock it forward – before bashing the ball up and over a helpless goalkeeper.
DID YOU KNOW?
The strike was the second in a 4-0 rout for the Union II over Columbus. Sullivan has played a crucial role for his MLSNext Proside throughout the campaign, tallying nine goal contributions in less than 1400 minutes – averaging a goal involvement every 150 minutes.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Sullivan made his first MLS appearance in July, becoming the youngest debutant in major U.S. sports history in the process. He was youngest player to ever play in the league by smashing Freddy Adu's youth age record.
“It was like… I've never been on the field with noise like that,” Sullivan told GOAL earlier this summer. "Obviously, I've been to European Games where the stands are cool and all, but especially hearing it … it was pretty cool. And having my name being the chant was even better.”
USA Today ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SULLIVAN?
The teenager will likely feature for the Union II in the MLS Next Pro final when they take on North Texas SC on Nov. 9. Sullivan's future lies overseas, though, with Man City agreeing a deal to sign the teenager once he turns 18.
