Cavan Sullivan sees USMNT call-up as a ‘way of serving’ his country, and his grandfather
Sullivan scored a highlight-reel goal against Mexico, becoming the youngest goalscorer in senior U.S. men’s team history. Five days earlier? He celebrated his 17th birthday with his U.S. teammates.
Cavan Sullivan’s grandfather, Larry Sullivan, received a Purple Heart after serving in the Vietnam War. The thought of his grandfather was fresh in his mind when he made his debut for the U.S. men’s national team against Peru on Sept. 26.
For Cavan and his older brother and Union teammate Quinn Sullivan, who previously played for the USMNT, competing for their country is their “way of serving.”
“When the national anthem was playing, there were goosebumps and chills down my body,” Cavan Sullivan said. “I couldn’t stop smiling because I know how proud he is watching. Usually, I see him in the crowd. He gives a little salute when the national anthem’s done, so it was incredible.
“He made sure to support me and watch every minute of the games, no matter the time back home.”
Back at home, Larry Sullivan watched his grandson score his first goal against rival Mexico last Saturday, fueling a 3-0 win. In a spectacular play, Cavan Sullivan intercepted a pass before launching a 35-yard chip shot into the back of the net. It made him the youngest goalscorer in senior U.S. men’s team history. Five days earlier, he had celebrated his 17th birthday with his U.S. teammates.
“I just had to get up and speak,” Sullivan said. “That’s all. And I got a slice of cake. … No better place to spend my birthday, represent my country, and it was the best gift to be there. And I thanked all my teammates and coaches.”
» READ MORE: Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre, and Frankie Westfield savor ‘a pinch-me moment’ with their USMNT debuts
Sullivan had the luxury of playing with some familiar faces during his few weeks away from Chester. Union teammates Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield also received their first call ups to the national team. Like Sullivan, both players are products of the Union Academy.
“Still feels like a dream to be honest,” Pierre said. “No complaints. Everything about it was good to the food, to the players, to obviously the games going four for four. So it was just overall a great, great experience.”
The game at hand
On Sept 26, following a 4-1 U.S. win over Peru, the three watched the Union play its lone game during the international window, a 4-2 win over Orlando City aboard the USMNT team plane. With the win, the Union extended its unbeaten streak to 12 games — a franchise record.
The Union have seen an unprecedented turnaround since returning to league action. Before a break for the World Cup, the team scrapped together just one win in 15 matches. Manager Bradley Carnell, who was named the MLS’ Coach of the Year last season, was fired after the 1-10-4 start. Union reserve team coach Ryan Richter, a Bucks County native, took over as the team’s interim head coach, guiding it to an unprecedented run since a return from the World Cup break.
On Thursday, Westfield was asked what turned things around for the Union, which is now vying for a playoff berth.
“You can say some players came back,” Westfield said. “You can say some players are playing better. But I think [the coaching staff] proved it last weekend. We were missing five starters, and you know Ryan came in, and his coaching staff came in, and they changed things around — which is great. But I also think [the] teams been performing in a way better way than we were performing [in] the first half of the season.”
» READ MORE: A Bridesburg basement and three older brothers helped Cavan Sullivan become the future of U.S. Soccer
Westfield, a Northeast Philly native, added that the team’s “vibes are high.” As for the winning streak, he’s looking to help continue it.
“For sure, [the unbeaten streak] motivates, but you can’t think about it,” Westfield said. “Can’t think about things like that. Just got to go out there and perform. Just another game, and go out there and win that game.”
On Saturday, the Union will host Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). Real Salt Lake recently snapped a 13-game losing streak after defeating the New England Revolution, 3-0, in the team’s last go-around.
“We’re really proud of how the last few weeks have gone,” Richter said. “But our attention was in the training today and preparing for Salt Lake as much as possible. [It’s] not so much about some streak; it’s about winning the game on Saturday.”
Richter added: “There are no easy games, but definitely don’t look at this weekend like it [is]. … We have to be at our best if we want to win, and we have to make sure we do that in the next couple of days.”
Richter noted that he has not noticed anything different on the pitch from Sullivan, Pierre, and Westfield since they returned. However, he is hopeful that the international experience will fuel their confidence moving forward.
“They have to channel that confidence that they gain from something like this, and to just continue to improve as a player,” Richter said.
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino had a similar message to the three, according to Sullivan:
“Be yourself no matter what.”
