Cavan Sullivan has set a new age record just a few days after Mathis Albert: the 17-year-old scored in the 3–0 win over Mexico and is now the youngest goalscorer for the US national team. Malik Tillman also found the net in this prestigious victory over their arch-rivals.
Cavan Sullivan has made history in the USA’s 3–0 win over arch-rivals Mexico. The 17-year-old scored the second goal to make it 2–0 during the friendly in Glendale, Arizona, thereby becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the US national team. Sullivan, who is set to join Manchester City next year, scored in the 62nd minute.
At 17 years and five days, Sullivan broke the record set just four days earlier by Mathis Albert. The Borussia Dortmund youngster had scored in a 4–2 win over Chile at the age of 17 years and 131 days. Previously, Christian Pulisic (17 years, 253 days) held this record.
A dream come true
“These are the moments you dream of when you’re three, four, five or six years old,” said Sullivan, a midfielder for Philadelphia Union. “I’ve been imagining this moment, not just over the past few hours when I found out I was in the starting line-up, but my whole life.”
US manager Mauricio Pochettino gave Sullivan a warm hug when he was substituted a few minutes later. “He’s a fighter,” said Pochettino at a press conference. “It’s hard to find a player like him. He has tremendous qualities.”
Sullivan’s goal came in his third international appearance, having made his debut last week and become the youngest player to start for the USA since Freddy Adu in 2006.
Chavez sent off – Tillman scores
Earlier, 18-year-old Julian Hall had put the USA ahead in the 28th minute. For Hall, it was already his third goal in his third international appearance since making his debut last week against Peru.
Following Sullivan’s goal – he had intercepted a pass from goalkeeper Raul Rangel in the centre of the Mexican half and skilfully chipped the ball into the empty net – Mexico’s substitute Mateo Chavez was shown a red card in the 67th minute: First he fouled Yunus Musah harshly and then struck Sebastian Berhalter in the face with both hands when the US midfielder confronted him.
Malik Tillman of Bayer Leverkusen sealed the final score in the 84th minute following a misplaced back pass. For Mexico’s manager Rafael Marquez, the defeat increased the pressure: since taking charge after the World Cup, he is still waiting for his first win.
