FRISCO- The whirlwind tour of Cavan Sullivan's first season as a professional makes one final stop on Saturday.
He and the rest of the youthful Philadelphia Union II squad vie to immortalize a breakout campaign in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Cup (8:30 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Another big box to check as he climbs the ladder of soccer in North America.
"We're ready for whatever comes our way and ready to fight." Sullivan told MLSNEXTPro.com. "Obviously we want to win and take it home."
"A clean sheet would be nice, it would be nice to not have to go into extra time," he said while cracking a smile. "I want to make an impact on the game. Maybe a goal or assist, or even if it's done by defense."
A glimpse into the line of thinking that's fueled Sullivan's rise to a household name in the soccer world at the tender age of 15.
"I think anybody who's in our team, especially at the Philadelphia Union where we are absolutely gung-ho about young talents and bringing along development, they're all good players," said Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc. "What separates Cavan from most of his peers is his mentality."
Regardless of Saturday's outcome, Sullivan has already established himself as a groundbreaker. After much anticipation, he earned his MLS debut with the Philadelphia Union to mark himself as the youngest debutant in league history at just 14 years and 293 days old.
That also made him the youngest-ever player to ever appear in a game across all major sports in North America at the time.
MLS NEXT Pro has largely been his proving ground in 2024, and it's where he's made a lasting memory when he reflected on his individual success this year.
"I think my playoff goal is pretty special," he said, referencing his long-range golazo in the Eastern Conference Final.
The moments have added up to Sullivan's popularity skyrocketing while still in the developmental phase. How do LeBlanc and Co. keep the growing star on track with all the things that come with the territory?
"He's one of many in this group," the fifth-year head coach explained. "The most important thing that I can do is to make sure that he's treated as one of many,"
For example, Union II's David Vazquez, CJ Olney, Neil Pierre, and Andrew Rick were all announced as U.S. men's national team U-19 call-ups for the November camp on Friday.
"To the outside world, he's seen as Cavan Sullivan. The golden boy, the next U.S. superstar," LeBlanc said.
"To me, he's just Cav, and I'll give Cav a kick in the ass when he needs a kick in the ass, and I'll give him an arm around the shoulder when he needs an arm around the shoulder."
LeBlanc shared that he's known Sullivan since he was eight years old as an attribute of the close-knit nature of the Union's setup.
"Cavan continues to take on this match tomorrow with the idea that he wants this team to win, I know he does," said LeBlanc. "He can put aside all the starboy stuff and focus on what his main goal and objective is: to win championships and win trophies."
So, is the wonderkid ready to go for it all on Saturday?
"I mean, that's what we're here for. Sullivan said. "So, it would be pretty awesome."
In Sullivan's mind, the checks and balances of the Union II collective have helped him be at his best so quickly.
"I think as a team, everyone communicates with everyone," he added. "There's no veteran versus young guy, that's not really the attitude throughout. Altogether within the communication, I like to instruct my teammates, and they'll do the same back and there's no hard feelings."
Sullivan can add more fuel to his rocket to stardom with a big performance on Saturday. He's already done well in playoff mode, but LeBlanc and Co. aren't afraid to put their youngster in elite company when it comes to comparisons.
"He's rarely ever fazed by pressure. As a matter of fact, I think he looks for pressure and seeks out those moments. And that's different, a lot of kids his age get a little bit nervous," LeBlanc said. "...Look at Lamine Yamal, look at all these top young guys, all the way up to the greatest of all time Lionel Messi - these guys are all talented footballers."
"What is between the ears and the way they look at the day-to-day is what separates the good from the great."
