Cavan Sullivan is now the youngest goal scorer in U.S. men’s national team history. The Philadelphia Union teenager was 17 years and five days old when he scored in a 3-0 win over Mexico on Saturday at State Farm Stadium.
He broke a record that stood for only days. Mathis Albert set the previous mark against Chile at 17 years and 131 days.
How Cavan Sullivan scored the record goal
Sullivan started on the right side of midfield for coach Mauricio Pochettino. Just after the hour mark, he pounced on a poor pass from Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, according to match reports. He chipped the keeper from outside the box to make it 2-0.
ESPN’s match data lists the goal in the 62nd minute. Some outlets put it in the 63rd.
Hall and Tillman round out the win
Julian Hall opened the scoring in the 28th minute from close range. Malik Tillman sealed it in the 84th with a left-footed shot into the top left corner. Gio Reyna also started for the U.S.
The record Albert held, and before him Pulisic
Albert, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, scored in stoppage time of a 4-2 win over Chile in St. Louis. According to Sports Illustrated, he passed Christian Pulisic, who had held the record at 17 years and 253 days.
That Chile game also featured goals from Sebastian Berhalter, Hall and Chris Richards. Our look at USMNT youth development explains why the program keeps turning to teenagers.
What it means for the USMNT
The U.S. has a short turnaround. It faces Canada on Oct. 6 at Allianz Field, while Mexico plays Chile in Los Angeles.
The young core still has bigger tests ahead. In March we covered the Belgium 5-2 win over the USMNT and a 2-0 loss to Portugal.
The full match report is on ESPN.
