Cavan Sullivan, 14, makes MLS debut as Union blast Revs

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Cavan Sullivan makes youngest MLS debut ever at 14

14-year-old Cavan Sullivan becomes the youngest player to debut in MLS history.

Updated: Jul 18, 2025, 03:10 am

Tai Baribo recorded his first career MLS hat trick and the Philadelphia Union halted a 10-match winless stretch with a 5-1 blowout of the New England Revolution on Wednesday night at Chester, Pa.

Cavan Sullivan entered the match in the 85th minute for the Union to become the youngest player to debut in MLS and North American professional team sports history. Sullivan (14 years, 293 days) surpassed Freddy Adu (14 years, 306 days) for the MLS mark. Adu set it for D.C. United in 2004.

Jakob Glesnes and Quinn Sullivan added goals for the Union, who won for just the second time in their past 18 matches (2-10-6). Philadelphia went 0-6-4 in the 10-match stretch that followed a 3-0 road win over New England on May 18.

Andre Blake was in goal for the Union (5-10-9, 24 points) for the first time since April 27 due to a knee injury. He didn't make any saves.

Ian Harkes scored for the Revolution (7-14-1, 22 points), who lost for the fourth time in their past five matches.

The Union held a 19-5 edge in shots and put eight on target to New England's one during a contest played mostly in heavy rain.

Aljaz Ivacic had three saves for the Revolution.

Baribo scored goals in the 29th and 44th minutes, and Glesnes scored in the 39th minute as the Union held a 3-0 halftime lead.

The first goal came off a free kick by Kai Wagner, and Wagner's boot was directed toward the front of the net by Jack Elliott. The ball went to Baribo, who headed it into the net.

Philadelphia's second goal came 10 minutes later after Wagner sent a corner kick into the box. Glesnes was in great position and headed the ball into the right corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

The lead grew to 3-0 when Baribo took a close-ranged right-footed shot that glanced off the hand of Ivacic and went into the net.

In the second half, Harkes gave the Revolution some hope when he sent a right-footer from outside the box past Blake in the 50th minute. It was his first goal of the season.

But just two minutes later, the Union pushed the lead to 4-1 after Wagner sent a pass to Baribo on the run. Baribo one-touched the ball into the left corner of the net. He has six goals for the season.

Quinn Sullivan scored his third goal of the season on a right-footed strike from outside the box in the 84th minute. He is Cavan Sullivan's brother.

--Field Level Media