Cavan Sullivan and the Union won’t win the Leagues Cup this year, but they’ll still gain something big

Ryan Richter knew the odds when he stepped onto the podium at Subaru Park on Sunday night.

Though the Union still have a mathematical chance to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, it would take a blowout win over Santos Laguna on Thursday in Chester (7 p.m., Apple TV) and so many results by other teams that it’s barely worth thinking about.

“It will be a little different, that’s the reality,” he said after Sunday’s win over Necaxa.

But while the chance for a trophy has sailed down the Delaware River — the least important of the trophies the Union can win, as the low attendances have once again proved — that doesn’t mean the team has failed here. In fact, something quite important has happened.

For a young American player with dreams of representing the country on soccer’s biggest stages, there’s no experience like facing teams from other Concacaf nations early in your career. No amount of teaching in the Union academy’s classrooms can match learning by doing, and a slew of Union players have done it this summer.

“You see the physicality, and almost the cleverness,” Richter said. “The way that they are able to use their bodies, the way they’re able to position themselves. The physicality is just a little bit different, I would say, and the style of player.”

» READ MORE: The Union are likely to miss the Leagues Cup knockout stage. What did these matches reveal?

As an example, he cited “the way the striker, [when] the ball comes in [to] him, you’re getting the elbow early in your stomach to make the 2 yards of space for himself. It’s a very savvy way of playing.”

It’s also the sort of thing that makes new soccer fans recoil — until, of course, their own player does the same thing and benefits from it.

Which Union players have gained the most from these two games? Cavan Sullivan tops the list. He was a force in both, and he knew exactly what he was getting into.

“It’s a different element than MLS, so it’s great experience,” said Sullivan, who was a U.S. stalwart at last year’s under-17 World Cup. “More of that Concacaf feel: that gritty, aggressive battle, games that are just battles. So I think it’s great for us, great for young guys.”

» READ MORE: Cavan Sullivan knows the spotlight on him will only grow more

Quinn Sullivan has fit right back in during his first games back from the long injury absence. Obviously he has needed time to ramp up to full fitness, but he’s now showing he’s close.

Neil Pierre has continued a breakthrough summer at centerback that has left scouts across the sport raving. Spanish superpower Barcelona was reportedly already monitoring him before he returned to Chester from his loan to Denmark’s Lyngby, and you can be sure the line of suitors will keep growing.

Andrew Rick has built upon his priceless experience with the U.S. World Cup team, starting in net for both Leagues Cup games and playing especially well against Necaxa. (It wasn’t his fault that a breakdown in front of him left Japhet Sery Larsen having to mark two attackers at once, leading to the visitors’ goal.)

Last, but a long way from least, Frankie Westfield has continued his impressive rise at left back, despite making the error that led to Cruz Azul’s goal in the Leagues Cup opener.

» READ MORE: Julián Carranza was thrilled to return to Subaru Park with Necaxa to face the Union

Perhaps this all seems strange to be saying about a team that not only won’t win the Leagues Cup, but might now call just making the playoffs a successful season after years of higher aspirations.

But a broader look could explain it.

The continuing afterglow of the World Cup includes Mauricio Pochettino’s renewal with the U.S. men’s national team. He has pledged to look at new players for the 2030 cycle, and his first opportunity to do that will come in the four friendlies that start late next month.

Since the two FIFA windows after that (in November and next March) are reserved for the serious business of the Concacaf Nations League, there’s ample reason for Pochettino to leave some veteran stars home for the friendlies and give newcomers a chance.

» READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino stays on as USMNT manager, and promises things won’t stay the same

Cavan Sullivan is on the list of candidates. Quinn Sullivan might be too, since Pochettino knows him from last summer and respects his game.

“Obviously that’s a goal,” Quinn said, though he was quick to add, “Right now I’m really focused on building my fitness back.”

It’s also worth remembering the manager’s praise for Nathan Harriel last fall, though other defenders are higher up the priority list right now. The 25-year-old has a lot of experience under his belt now, not just the tactical kind but the streetwise kind.

“All these opportunities you get to play against these Mexican teams are good learning moments for sure,” Harriel said. “Those games you get up for [them]. And it’s difficult, it’s hard, there’s tough moments, but you learn and you can grow from it.”

» READ MORE: Here’s how Mauricio Pochettino will start his second term with the USMNT

Is Pierre on the list, still a raw talent at age 18 but in that impossible-to-miss 6-foot-7 frame? The senior national team might be a step too far at the moment. But there’s also the 2028 Olympic team to consider, an under-age-23 squad. He could definitely be of interest to that group’s head coach, Steve Cherundolo, now and over the next two years.

The same goes for Rick, as Cherundolo and Pochettino ponder what to do with a crop of young goalkeepers that is interesting but has no standout yet.

Obviously, Rick has to contend with being Andre Blake’s backup, and the limited playing time that results. But he has amply proved his abilities to the Union, and likely to the U.S. staff, too.

Westfield has perhaps the most potential for the Olympic team. Outside backs are always hard to come by, and the 20-year-old from Morrell Park in Northeast Philadelphia can play either flank. If he keeps playing this well, his stock should be quite high.

» READ MORE: U.S. Soccer finally puts its foot down on the Gianni Infantino FIFA scandal, demands ‘meaningful change’

“Everyone’s going to be shooting for the Olympics and World Cup, and we have big dreams,” Quinn Sullivan said. “These smaller versions of the big thing are always helpful.”

And as Harriel said of his journey: “Anything’s possible — I thought I had no shot, and I ended up being there.”

The Leagues Cup has helped show why these players do have a shot.