ORLANDO – Saturday marked the first U.S. match of a new World Cup cycle under coach Mauricio Pochettino, and it introduced an exciting young talent just a few days shy of turning 17. Cavan Sullivan made his debut in a 4-1 win over Peru, becoming the second youngest player in U.S. history to start a match after Mike Slivinski in 1991.
While renowned U.S. players like Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Christian Pulisic debuted at older ages, only Slivinski was younger than Sullivan by 45 days. Sullivan is the youngest to debut since Freddy Adu, who came on as a substitute in 2006 at 16 years and seven months, and is now the fourth youngest to play for the senior national team.
An up-and-coming star from the Philadelphia Union, Sullivan is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18. He started on the right wing, impressing with a solid performance in the friendly match filled with substitutions.
Alongside Sullivan, ten other Americans also made their debuts on Saturday. Defender Peyton Miller, age 18, and forward Justin Ellis, 19, started the match while several others entered as substitutes, ranging from ages 17 to 21.
Ellis, playing in his home stadium for Orlando City, quickly scored with a powerful header shortly after the match began. A questionable penalty led to veteran Malik Tillman doubling the lead in the 66th minute, before Hall later extended the margin with a goal in the 72nd minute, capped off by a stunning strike from Berhalter in stoppage time.
With 13 out of 28 players vying for their first caps and a notable allowance of 11 substitutes, it was an ideal opportunity for newcomers to showcase their talent ahead of the U.S.’s return to competitive play in November for the CONCACAF Nations League. Coach Pochettino will likely bring back seasoned players like Pulisic and Weston McKennie for those crucial matches.
Sullivan was expected to perform, especially considering this was the U.S.’s first action since their 4-1 elimination by Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. His inclusion in the starting lineup was unexpected, alongside six World Cup veterans. He showcased speed, confidence, and a keen eye for plays, but naturally, exhibited the inexperience typical of a young player.
In just the fourth minute, Sullivan teamed up with Gio Reyna on a free kick that led to Ellis’s goal, showcasing a dazzling glancing header that found the net. For Ellis, this moment reflected his impressive rise, having transitioned from only one Major League Soccer appearance last year to a standout performance that includes one goal and ten assists in 19 games this season.
Peru managed to equalize shortly after, capitalizing on a defensive error by the U.S. Defense but failed to maintain that momentum. The U.S. mounted pressure but was unable to find the net again until a series of second-half goals secured the victory.
Coach Mano Menezes of Peru is currently reshaping his team after back-to-back World Cup misses, fielding a youthful squad with limited experience in this North American tour, which includes matches against Mexico and Canada.
The U.S. squad will next face Chile in St. Louis and will go on to test themselves against Mexico and Canada over the following days.
U.S. Notes: Chris Richards, a World Cup center back, did not participate as part of load management after missing training. Cole Campbell, a young winger from Germany, was also sidelined for the same reason.
The team will resume training before traveling to St. Louis on Monday afternoon.
Fan Take: This news is pivotal for soccer fans as it highlights the burgeoning talent in the U.S. roster, suggesting a promising future for American soccer. With young players like Sullivan emerging and performing well, it indicates that the national team is building a robust foundation for upcoming competitions, potentially revitalizing interest and investment in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
