Photo: Collected
Bangladeshi-origin Cavan Sullivan has made history at the age of just 17. The midfielder scored a stunning goal in the United States’ 3-0 win over Mexico to become the youngest goalscorer in the history of the country’s national team.
Sullivan scored the goal in the 63rd minute of the match at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel had come forward and played the ball towards a player of his own team. Snatching that ball, Cavan sent it into the net over the goalkeeper’s head from nearly forty yards out.
Having scored at the age of 17 years and 5 days, he is now the youngest goalscorer in the history of the US national team. Mathis Albert had made this record his own four days earlier.
Albert had scored against Chile on Tuesday at the age of 17 years and 131 days. Because of Cavan’s goal, he has dropped to number two on the list of the United States’ youngest goalscorers. Even before that, the record was held by Christian Pulisic; he had scored at the age of 17 years and 253 days.
This was Cavan’s third match for the national team. In his debut match last week, he had set the record of being the youngest player after Freddy Adu to be named in the starting XI for the United States.
After the match, Cavan said, ‘This is the most unbelievable moment of my life. You dream of a moment like this from the age of three, four, five, six. I have imagined this moment. Not just for a few hours today, but throughout my whole life.’
The Philadelphia Union midfielder further said, ‘It is an unbelievable moment for my family and me. It is an honour to get such an opportunity for the national team. The coaches have put their trust in me and given me the chance – for this I am truly grateful.’
Speaking about the moment of the goal, Sullivan said he was quite nervous until the ball went into the net. ‘I just lifted the ball. I was hoping it would not hit the crossbar or go over. When the ball was in the air, I got nervous. What happened after that is like a blur.’
The United States’ first goal against Mexico also came from the foot of a teenager. Eighteen-year-old Julian Hall scored in the first half from a pass by Gio Reyna. Malik Tillman sealed the team’s win with a goal in the 85th minute.
This was the United States’ third consecutive friendly win since the defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. With a new generation of players, Mauricio Pochettino’s team is regaining its confidence anew.
