14-Year Old Cavan Sullivan Promoted To Matchday Union Squad
A few months ago, the Union made headlines when they signed 14-year old Cavan Sullivan to a record deal. It made him the 5th youngest player ever signed in the MLS, and included a clause that will transfer him to Man City when he turns 18.
Related: Union Ink 14-Year-Old Phenom Cavan Sullivan To Massive Deal
He has yet to actually play for them since he signed that deal back in May though. He made 5 starts for Union II, and scored a couple of goals, but to this point he has not played pro minutes.
He is 1 step closer to that now though. Union Head Coach has not made a commitment to playing him, but he did announce that Cavan Sullivan will be on the matchday roster for Wednesday night game vs the New England Revolution.
If he does see the field, it would make him the youngest player in MLS history, beating out the previous record set by Freddy Adu, who was 14 years old, and 306 days. Sullivan will be 14 and 296 days. there are 3 more games for the Union that would make Cavan Sullivan the youngest player in MLS history.
Doesn’t Mean Cavan Sullivan Will Play Right Away
Playing time is not guaranteed though. Jim Curtin spoke to the media, and said it may still take time.
“The next step is working hard to get your first minutes. Sometimes that might be one minute, that might be 15 minutes, that might be 90 minutes, but I think Cavan understands that and recognizes that.”
-Jim Curtin
The Union certainly could use a change though. After years of dominating, they have been a disaster this season. They have just 4 wins in 23 games, with 9 draws, and 10 losses. The Union currently are 15th in their conference. Even at home, where they used to be unbeatable, they have struggled to get wins.
Will a 14-year old make them a better team? Probably not. But will it give frustrated fans something to watch for? Yes.
At some point, Cavan Sullivan is going to see the field. It might not be against the Revolution, but this move is the next step to seeing the young phenom on the pitch. The tale of Freddy Adu should be cautionary though. Like Cavan, he was seen as a phenom. He sputtered out and never reached those heights.
The Union need to be very careful how they deploy a teenager in a league full of grown adults. Don’t force him out there too early and hurt his long term growth. You have him for 3 more years after this, and then stand to make a lot of money from Man City in a transfer. They need to do what is best for him, which might not be forcing him before he is ready.
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9 Things You Should Know Before Going To A Philadelphia Union Game
How To Get to Subaru Park
If you are coming from Philadelphia, 95 South is going to be your best way to the park. Subaru Park 15 miles away from the Stadium Complex. You will be taking 95 South to exit 4. For New Jerseyans, you will want to come across the Commodore Barry Bridge. The Stadium is basically right under the bridge, so once you get across making your way down to the stadium should be easy. In both cases, getting into the stadium area and the parking lots can take a while. So give yourself extra time. The Union provided more specific directions here.
If you prefer Public Transportation, regional rail is an option. From 30th St station, you can catch the Wilmington/Newark line to Chester station. There will be a free shuttle from there to Subaru Park. Those shuttles start running 4 hours before the game. Keep in mind though that for late games, the last train may stop running before the final whistle, so you may need to find another option to get back to Philly. Like most places, they also have designated drop-off spots for Rise Sharing Apps.
What Should You Wear?
If you are new to the Union, you may not yet have Union gear to wear. That is fine. Just double-check who the opponent is that day to make sure you aren’t wearing their colors, and avoid the color red in general. And at least for the February, March, and April games, make sure to dress warm. The Stadium is on the water, and it can get fairly chilly at times early in the season.
If you do want to pick up Union gear, their Team Shop opens Up 2 Hours before the game begins.
What Time Can You Get In?
Gates open 90 minutes before the game. Which will give you plenty of time to get through the line and security. And then you will also be able to get some food, something to drink, and find your seats before kickoff. The same way the Sixers have a bell ringer, and the Phillies have someone throwing the first pitch, the Union will have a guest bang the drum. If seeing that is something that interests you, it is worth getting there ahead of time.
What Food And Drink Options Are There?
Like with every Philly stadium, you will be able to get Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab Fries. They are located in sections 108, 117, and 129. If you want a Cheesesetak, Phillip’s Steaks are in section 107. There is a PJ Whelihan’s at sections 122 and 101. And if you want something sweet, you can get ice cream at Scoops’N’Smiles in sections 109, 120, and 127. There are alcohol vendors throughout the stadium. But if you want something specific, there is a Heineken Bar in section 127.Â
The Fan Screening Process
According to the Union’s entry policy, all bags must be clear, and no larger than 14â x 14â x 6â. They will also be subject to search before you can enter Subaru Park. And as with any stadium, there is no outside food or drink permitted. You can see a dull list of prohibited items here.Â
Do They Have Any Theme Nights
Before picking what game you go to, it is worth taking a look at their promotional calendar. They have special theme nights coming up. Kids Night on March 25th. Pride Night on June 3rd. Military Appreciation Night on July 15th. Retro night on August 20th. And more. See a full list of Theme Nights here.
