Cavan Sullivan scores two goals, adds two assists as Union route Defence Force 7-0 to advance in Concacaf Champions Cup

Cavan Sullivan is 16 years old and he just had a 2-goal, 2-assist night in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Let that sink in for a second.

The Philadelphia Union dismantled Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC 7-0 on Thursday night at Subaru Park, completing a 12-0 aggregate rout to advance to the Round of 16.

Cavan Sullivan was the story from start to finish, setting up Stas Korzeniowski’s opening goal in the 12th minute with a highlight-reel assist, then doing the same for Ben Bender’s 53rd-minute tally before finishing the night with a clinical 76th-minute strike of his own and an 88th-minute tap-in to close things out.

Cavan Sullivan scores twice, makes American soccer history

The goal heard around the world…

Cavan Sullivan gets his first!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/AEM3izGGKm

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 27, 2026

¡Sí vale el séptimo del Philadelphia Union! Doblete de Cavan Sullivan#ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/trS0Hbibwo

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) February 27, 2026

With that first goal Cavan Sullivan made history as the youngest American goalscorer in Concacaf Champions Cup history. It is the latest item on a resume that, for a 16-year-old, is already absurd.

He became the youngest player to debut for a North American major league sports team at 14 years and 293 days. He was the second-youngest player in MLS history to start a match at 15 years and 280 days.

He starred for the United States at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup last fall. And now he is adding Concacaf history to the list in his third professional season.

The elephant in the room, as always with Cavan Sullivan, is Manchester City. Reports have indicated for a while now that he will eventually make the move to the Premier League powerhouse.

Thursday night’s performance is exactly the kind of showing that makes you wonder how much longer Philadelphia gets to watch him before that happens. For now he is here, he is getting better every time he steps on the field, and the Union are very clearly a better team with him in it.

Up next is a Round of 16 series against Club América in mid-March. The LIGA MX giants came through a tight 2-1 aggregate win over CD Olimpia and will be a significant step up in competition from Defence Force. That is the kind of series where you find out what a team is actually made of.

If Cavan Sullivan plays like he did Thursday, Philadelphia likes their chances.

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