Cavan Sullivan Breaks History in Union’s 5-1 Thrashing of New England

Contributor - Ryan Straub

It was headlines-galore in Chester last night even before the Union took the field against the New England Revolution. In a battle of the two teams in the basement of the Eastern Conference, with Philadelphia in last at 15th and New England one point ahead in 14th, it was the Union who got a desperately needed win. Here’s everything that happened in a game that can hopefully turn their season around.

We’ll start with not only the biggest news of the game but the biggest news in the sports world last night. At 14 years, 293 days old, Cavan Sullivan became the youngest athlete to make their debut across any major North American sports league (MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NWSL, WNBA, MLS).

Sullivan is just 13 days younger than the previous record holder, Freddy Adu, who made his debut for D.C. United on April 4, 2003, at 14 years, 306 days old. Sullivan is also younger than any player who has ever played in the Top Five European soccer leagues - England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, France’s Ligue 1, Germany’s Bundesliga, and Italy’s Serie A.

Sullivan joined Mid-Days With Bob Cooney on Thursday. When asked how special it was to celebrate with and sub in alongside his 20-year-old brother Quinn (who had scored a brilliant outside-the-box goal just seconds before), Cavan said “I think having my brother along the way was really special, you know, he helped me prepare and he helped to take me after the game. So just having him along the journey is really helpful.”

As for the critics who say the physicality aspect of professional sports, and his lack thereof at just 14, may pose a problem, he says “My brothers are older than me and I’ve played 2 or 3 years up every single game and training. So yeah, I’m pretty used to it. I know you got to be quick with the feet and you got to be one step ahead to avoid the contact from these big guys.”

Cavan Sullivan doesn’t turn 15 until September 28, so expect to see many more headlines about his unbelievable accomplishments at such a young age.

Starting goalkeeper Andre Blake made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since April 30, after injuring his knee and recovering from meniscus surgery in late May. His return serves as a relief to many after some inconsistent and below-average play by backup Oliver Semmle. 18-year-old Andrew Rick showed promise during the time he was given, but the return of Blake will inevitably see all other goalkeepers to the bench.

It was a night to remember for Israeli forward Tai Baribo as well, who scored three goals to complete his first MLS hat trick. After signing with the Union in August 2023, Baribo saw very little playing time at the end of last season and the beginning of this season. He scored 2 goals in his first career MLS start last month at FC Cincinnati and added another goal in their previous game Saturday against Toronto FC. Baribo certainly looks like a player in great form as the team attempts to right the ship.

An Eastern Conference playoff spot is still an extremely reasonable goal even after the Union’s disastrous start to the season. In a game where they scored three goals in a half for the first time all season, players, coaches, and fans alike hope that this could be the night that changed everything for the 2024 Union campaign.

The Philadelphia Union season is about to kick off. Another year's worth of games to watch at Subaru park. Their popularity has continued to grow over the years. And now Union games have become one of the most exciting sporting events in the area. If you have not treated yourself to a pair of Union tickets yet, you are missing out. The Union will have 17 home games in 2024. 17 chances for you to either see your first Union game, or if you have already been, a chance to see another one.

Soccer may still be a growing sport in the United States. But the atmosphere at the games is as great as any other team in the city. Union fans show up, and they are passionate about their team. And even if you are not yet an avid fan, you will find yourself singing Doop Doop Doop with all of the other fans every time the Union score. And the good news is there is a good chance you will see the Union win if you go to Subaru Park. From 2020 through 2023, they were 32-4-14 when playing at home.

Last season was a bit of a down year for them. They went out in the second round of the playoffs following their run to the MLS Cup the prior season. But they have been a dominant force in the past several seasons. And 2024 could be a return to form.

But if it's your first time going to a game, you might need some advice on going to the game. Unlike Citizen's Bank Park, The Wells Fargo Center, and Lincoln Financial Field, Subaru Park is not in the sports complex. Instead, you will have to make the trip down the Chester to attend a game. So we put together this handy guide for how to get to the games, the best places to get food once you are there, and more.

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.

As with most of our stadiums, parking can at times be a bit of a nightmare. There is plenty of parking, but anytime you try to cram that many people into a confined space, there is going to be some congestion. So be prepared to sit in some traffic getting in and out. But The Union have provided a helpful parking map here, which you can use to figure out what map is best for you. Most lots will charge you $30, and they are cashless. Lots open 5 hours before kick.

If you want to experience it as a Union fan, you can tailgate with the Sons of Ben at their lot. The Sons of Ben are the Union Fanclub. But spots there are limited, so if that is your plan you will want to show up early.

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.

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.

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. 

You can find a full list of vendors here. 

According to the Union's entry policy, all bags must be clear, and no larger than 14” x 14” x 6”. 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. 

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.

For a full fan experience, sitting with the Sons of Ben on the riverside may be worth it. Keep in mind if you are going to sit here, you are expressly prohibited from wearing the opposing teams colors, or the color red. Everyone will be on their feet the entire time, and there will be specific chants they do throughout the game. If you are looking for a more casual experience, it is likely not for you. But if you want to really soak in and become a rabid Union fan, it is the best place to be. there is more information on the Sons of ben here if sitting with them is something that interests you.

Unlike Football, Baseball, Hockey, and Basketball, there are no real breaks in the game apart from halftime. There are no TV timeouts and no extended breaks in the action. The clock is constantly running up to the 45th minute in the first half, and then up to the 90th minute in the second half. There will be stoppage time, depending on how each half goes, which adds to how long each half is. But there is not a good time to go get food or drink or go to the bathroom, that guarantees you won't miss any action apart from Halftime. So if you don't want to miss any of the game, make sure you take care of anything you want to do around Subaru Park either before the game or at the half.