Christian Pulisic remains the undisputed leader of the national team of the United States and the most influential player of the current USMNT generation. Looking ahead, however, Cavan Sullivan is the name that generates the most excitement among American fans-the highly promoted prospect of Philadelphia Union that joins Manchester City in mid-2027.
With a clear desire to understand the inner functioning of the Premier League giants, Sullivan will travel to England for an early experience with the club.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the 15-year-old is expected to participate in a part of the Manchester City-and a sign of his dedication to develop as a player at top level.
It is important to note that Sullivan has to wait until he turns 18 to officially complete his move to Manchester City, in accordance with FIFA regulations that prohibit international transfers from minors, except under very specific circumstances. The Philadelphia Union Academy product will be 16 in September 16, which means that the countdown to its city debut is officially engaged.
Manchester City clearly regards Sullivan as a future elitental talent, and this first exposure to their environment should be invaluable. His development with Philadelphia continues to progress well and he remains a striking one in the youth system of the United States.
Sullivan made his long-awaited MLS debut during the 2024 season and came up as a late replacement in various competitions for the Subaru Park-based club. Head coach Bradley Carnell has since made a priority to increase his minutes in 2025. The South African manager gave him meaningful playing time in games against DC United (3-0 win) and Columbus Crew (1-1 draw).
At the beginning of July, Sullivan earned his first MLS start in a match against Nashville SC in Geodis Park. Although he played 61 minutes and received a yellow card, he could not have a significant impact on the game. Yet his process remains promising. During the FIFA International window of June, he played in all three USA U-17 Friendly matches, scored a goal against Japan and shows the talent that continues to distinguish him.