Philadelphia Union is moving on to the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 after defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force with a 12-0 aggregate score. Next up, they'll play Club America, beginning with a home match against the Liga MX side at Subaru Park on March 10th.
In the first round, 23 different players saw meaningful minutes on the pitch -- nine of whom found the back of the net.
16-year-old Cavan Sullivan was one of those players, making history and headlines in both the away and home leg. Over the opening series, he became the youngest American to assist and score in the tournament’s history, and on Thursday night alone, he set up two goals and placed two of his own, scoring his very first for the senior team.
“I'm thankful for the opportunity, and happy to have scored my first goal, two of them, actually. It was pretty special. More importantly, though, is the clean sheet, the win, and that we advanced," Sullivan said following the match.
"We understand we have a big, big game, big opponent in the next round against Club America. We're ready. We're gonna recover. We go again [in MLS] Sunday, and then obviously next week."
The night was a long time coming, and one that Sullivan remarked after the match that he’d hoped had come sooner. But when the moment came at last, it was a memorable one, as his grandfather, grandmother, mom, dad, and his oldest brother Quinn Sullivan, who’s been sidelined with ACL injury since September, were in the stadium to see his first goal for the first team live. His brothers Declan and Ronan we’re watching as well, albeit tuned in at home.
“I think it embodies what us Sullivans are about – being there for each other. Being there when we're down, but also when we're up. So, I'm thankful that they were all here to watch me play, and I dedicate this to them, because without them, I wouldn't be here.” Sullivan said.
The Sullivan clan, along with what’s anticipated to be a packed house crowd of Union fans will have another chance to watch Cavan and his teammates on the riverfront, as the team returns to Subaru Park on Sunday for their Major League Soccer home opener against New York City FC at 4:30pm.
“I hope the fans show out. It's a big game. Revenge game from last year. Obviously, derby games mean a little bit more, but we'll have the same mentality, same fight, that you know from the Union on Sunday,” Sullivan said.
