GOAL looks at Sullivan's first start, how he fared, and what it indicates for the future of one of the U.S.'s brightest talents
It all happened rather quietly. Philadelphia Union have been working next-great-hope Cavan Sullivan into the fold for the best part of 12 months now. But for all of the good PR and positive vibes, he hadn't managed more than a few cameos and lively stints off the bench.
That is, until last week. Sullivan started and played 120 minutes of an admittedly grueling and often ugly U.S. Open Cup game against Indy Eleven.
The Union won on penalties, in the end, avoiding a Cupset, but not doing so in particularly convincing fashion. New manager Bradley Carnell put out a lineup consisting mostly of fringe first-team players and reserves. The USL side went full strength, and gave as much as they got. Penalties are a cruel way to go out of a tournament, especially when you hold a team of superior quality and budget over 90 minutes plus two halves of extra time.
Still, this game will likely be remembered as the one where Sullivan got his first start. And although it wasn't the highest profile affair – that's kind of the point – it was still one that might indicate where the somehow-still-15-year-old might operate for the Union in the next two full MLS campaigns before he moves to Manchester City.
GOAL takes a look at Sullivan's first start, how he fared, and what it might say for the future of one of the U.S.'s brightest talents.
ImagnA long-awaited first start
The Union have been smart about this whole thing. Sullivan has played just 48 minutes in MLS this year. That is by no means a bad thing. The team have been doing just fine with him in a rather limited role. They are third in the Eastern Conference and have won seven of 12 matches. There is no need to toss him in, risk injury, expand his role, or tinker with a winning formula.
This is also, of course, the paradox of having a really talented youngster. He is probably the best natural footballer the Union have in their ranks. But he is also has little top-level experience. He plays in a position of relative strength for Philadelphia, and even if he is better naturally than a number of their other attacking options, there isn't a great need for him to play – today.
The flip side of that is it leaves expectant fans for Philadelphia and the USMNT rather disappointed. Sullivan has made it clear that he wants to play for the USMNT – and big picture, win the Ballon d'Or. The style, swagger and wonderful left foot are all there. Fans want to see him play.
Yet the Union are still keeping him on a tight leash. It may be frustrating for some, but it's probably the right move for his career development – no matter how well he can kick a ball.
AdvertisementImagnA statistical overview
That's why the U.S. Open Cup fixture made sense of his introduction. Indy Eleven have a good record in the competition, but they are still far from the level of an MLS side. Carnell, meanwhile, wanted to rest some of his first-teamers – or at least save some legs. It was always going to be a lower intensity night with fewer fans in the building and fewer viewers. Perfect time to let the kid play.
Sullivan started, roughly, on the right side of a 4-4-2 – the Union's preferred system so far this year. On paper, the numbers were agreeable, if slightly unspectacular. Sullivan played 120 minutes, completed 30/40 passes, created two chances, and had six attempts on goal – three of which were on target.
The heatmap tells a mostly similar story. Sullivan stuck to the right side of the pitch, occasionally ventured inside, and spent most of the game pretty much doing his job. Any coach would conclude that Sullivan put in a good shift, did exactly what was asked of him, and ensured that the regular starters could rest their legs in the midst of a hectic league schedule. That's basically what he said.
"Cavan wants to play, he wants to express himself, he wants to get on the pitch,” Carnell outlined after the game. “He wants to prove himself, and he wants to prove he belongs with the team. He did a great job. He’s young, fit, hungry … it was fun to watch him play tonight.”
IMAGNMoments of promise
But watch the game, and there were some real indications that Sullivan was operating a little faster than everyone else on the pitch. His first touch was sharp from the first minute, and while the rest of the Union rather slumbered their way through the game, Sullivan tried to break it open. He took five shots in the first half alone, and was always looking for the incisive moment.
Perhaps the passage that summarized his performance the most was in the 37th minute. He received a pass just outside the box, 19 yards from goal in the right half space. The smart move, at that point, would have been to take the ball to the byline and cut it back to one of four Philadelphia runners darting into the box.
Instead, Sullivan cut sharply onto his left, a sent two Indy defenders skirting the wrong way, and unleashed a shot on goal. It was pretty easily blocked by a deluge of defenders who had diligently tracked back. He latched onto a loose ball in the same phase of play. Again, there were perhaps two passes on; he could have fed either Union forward. Sullivan had a shot on goal instead, stinging the palms of the Indy goalkeeper.
He did much the same in extra time. Sullivan darted into the box to snag loose ball, six yards out from goal and facing a near-impossible angle. The pass across the box was on. Instead, he tried to fire into the roof of the net – but launched the ball over the bar. His teammate was not happy.
He went for the spectacular when the simple was on. There are no stats for valiant failures, or almost-goals. But from the perspective of a young player learning his craft, these will go down mostly as good things – especially given the final score.
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IMAGNA mixed body of work
There were some shortcomings. Sullivan may have been active and assertive in the first half, but his influence rather waned in the second. In fairness, it was partially his team's fault. The Union should have led by two or three at half time. They came out slightly sluggish after the break. Indy grabbed a goal on 48 minutes, and then put in the kind of resolute defensive showing that perhaps deserved three points.
In those moments, when the game became a slog, Sullivan faded. It was an odd game in the second half. The Union didn't seem to have the legs to press, but Indy didn't really want the ball, either. The Union completed 225 passes to Indy's 132, and 42 percent of their passes came in the final third. They put nine shots on goal, attempted 11 crosses, and hit the post once.
In other words, they were camped out in their opponents' half, created a lot, but didn't manage to find the back of the net.
Indy were simply up for the scrap. And that's where you could see Sullivan's need for improvement. He is, remember, still 15, and although not afraid to tackle, isn't the biggest physical presence. He won four of his eight duels, and lost possession, due to either giveaways or misplaced passes, 18 times. Only when Indy decided to open the game up a little more, and spaces became bigger, did Sullivan get back to playing football again.