Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has earned his first call-up to the United States men’s national team, according to multiple reports. The 16-year-old phenom is among the 26 players named by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for an upcoming slate of September and October friendlies.
Cavan Sullivan Earns First USMNT Call-Up
Sullivan has enjoyed a strong run of form with the Philadelphia Union since Major League Soccer resumed play following the 2026 World Cup, recording six goals and eight assists across all competitions. He has registered goal contributions in each of his past seven league games, marking the longest such streak for an MLS teenager. His recent performances included a 5-0 victory against San Diego FC where he secured his first career brace with a backheel flick and a goal scored by nutmegging the goalkeeper.
If Sullivan makes an appearance during the international window, he could become the second-youngest player in the 113-year history of the U.S. men’s program to play for the senior team. The record is held by Freddy Adu, who made his debut on January 22, 2006, at 16 years and 243 days old during a match against Canada. Sullivan turns 17 on September 28, just two days after the U.S. plays Peru in Orlando, Florida, on September 26.
Christian Pulisic Omitted From Roster
While Sullivan joins the squad, veteran midfielder Christian Pulisic has not been included on the roster for the upcoming international window. Pulisic, who will turn 28 on Friday, has been a national team regular for more than a decade, earning 90 caps and scoring 33 goals.
Pulisic is coming off an underwhelming 2026 World Cup campaign where he failed to score and suffered a leg fracture—breaking two bones in his right leg—during a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. After returning to club action with AC Milan under new manager Ruben Amorim, Pulisic sparked a second-half comeback in a 2-2 draw against Lazio, contributing an assist after coming off the bench. However, he has not yet found full fitness, appearing in only two matches for Milan this season and remaining an unused substitute in three others.
According to reports, this marks the first time Pochettino has omitted a healthy Pulisic since taking over as U.S. coach two years ago. Pulisic previously made his international debut at age 17 on March 29, 2016, in a World Cup-qualifying win against Guatemala.
Pochettino Blends Youth and Experience for Fall Friendlies
Pochettino is beginning his second cycle coaching the squad after agreeing to a new contract this summer that runs through the 2030 World Cup. The manager indicated earlier this month that he plans to introduce new faces to the roster, noting that the camp would consist of a mix in between players that were involved in the World Cup and players maybe with the possibility to make their first call for the national team.
Alongside Sullivan, 17-year-old New York Red Bulls midfielder Adri Mehmeti is also set to receive his first senior team invitation. Other players linked to or included in the youthful squad announcements include Yunus Musah—who started all four games for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has not played for the national team since March 2025—alongside scattered reports regarding youth prospects such as Julian Hall, Zavier Gozo, Mathis Albert, and Sullivan’s Union teammate Neil Pierre.
Upcoming Schedule
The United States faces a demanding four-match slate in the international window spanning less than two weeks:
* September 26: vs. Peru in Orlando, Florida * September 29: vs. Chile in St. Louis * Early October: vs. Mexico in Glendale, Arizona * Early October: vs. Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota
The full roster for the matches is scheduled to be officially announced on Thursday morning.
