Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan has earned his first senior national team call-up ahead of four September friendlies, while AC Milan star Christian Pulisic was left off the United States roster as he works back from a leg fracture.
Cavan Sullivan Earns Historic Senior Call-Up Following Record-Breaking MLS Stretch
Cavan Sullivan is trading club colors for national team duty. Multiple reports indicate that the 16-year-old Philadelphia Union phenom has been selected for the United States men’s national team roster for the upcoming FIFA international window covering late September and early October. The call-up comes on the heels of a historic run in Major League Soccer.
Since the league resumed play following the 2026 World Cup, Sullivan has recorded six goals and eight assists across all competitions. He registered goal contributions in each of his past seven league matches — the longest streak of that kind an MLS teenager has ever authored. That stretch includes a standout performance during a 5-0 victory over San Diego FC, where the teenager collected his first career brace by scoring with a backheel flick and nutmegging the goalkeeper. With the Philadelphia Union unbeaten in their last 10 games under an 8-0-2 run starting from July 22, Sullivan has firmly cemented a regular starting role.
If he steps onto the pitch during any of the upcoming fixtures, Sullivan will become the second-youngest player to ever appear for the senior U.S. squad. That historic list remains topped by Freddy Adu, who earned his first cap on January 22, 2006, at 16 years and 243 days old. Sullivan turns 17 on September 28, just days after the national team’s opening match.
I’m not too focused on it. Obviously, it’s a goal, and it would be sick to be called in… I’m just focused on improving, getting better week in and week out. I know my performances matter.
Cavan Sullivan, via GOAL
Sullivan added regarding the national team speculation earlier this month: When the roster’s picked, if it works out, great. If it doesn’t, you won’t see a thing change for me.
Christian Pulisic Omitted From Roster After World Cup Injury and Slow Club Return
While one American prodigy prepares for his senior debut, the national team’s established focal point will watch from the sidelines. Christian Pulisic was left off the 26-player roster named by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the autumn camp.
Pulisic is recovering from a severe leg injury sustained during the Americans’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The attacking midfielder fractured two bones in his right leg during a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. Having missed the start of the Serie A season under new AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim, Pulisic recently showed flashes of his old form by coming off the bench and supplying an assist in a 2-2 draw against Lazio.
His omission marks a notable shift. Pulisic has earned 90 caps and scored 33 goals over a decade as a national team mainstay, but this international window marks the first time Pochettino has left a healthy Pulisic off the squad since taking the helm two years ago.
A Youthful Shift in the 2030 World Cup Cycle
Pochettino is using the extended September and October international window to reshape the player pool for the new World Cup cycle. Earlier this month, the manager outlined his intentions to blend veterans with rising talent.
The camp ahead is going to consist of a mix in between players that were involved in the World Cup and players maybe with the possibility to make their first call for the national team,
Pochettino stated according to The Athletic.
Alongside Sullivan, fellow teenagers have captured attention during roster projections. New York Red Bulls midfielder Adri Mehmeti, 17, is slated to receive his first senior invitation, while youngsters Julian Hall, Mathis Albert, and Sullivan’s Union teammate Neil Pierre have also been linked to youth or senior team evaluations by scattered reports.
A Demanding Autumn Slate Against Regional Rivals
The revamped U.S. squad faces a challenging quartet of friendlies spanning less than two weeks under the extended FIFA window format.
- September 26: Facing Peru in Orlando, Florida
- September 29: Meeting Chile in St. Louis, Missouri
- Early October: Closing out the window against Concacaf foes Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota to complete the four-match schedule.
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