It wasn't the prettiest goal Cavan Sullivan will ever score. It might be the most important.
In the 63rd minute of the U.S. 3-0 win over Mexico on Oct. 3, Sullivan jumped on a loose pass from goalkeeper José Rangel and rolled it into an empty net. At 17 years and five days old, the Philadelphia Union midfielder became the youngest goalscorer in U.S. men's national team history.
The record came one week after his debut. Sullivan started against Peru on Sept. 26, two days before his 17th birthday. That made him the fourth-youngest player and second-youngest starter in program history.
Two teens on the scoresheet
Julian Hall, 28': the Red Bulls striker, 18, followed up a save on Gio Reyna's shot. That's a goal in each of his first three caps.
Cavan Sullivan, 63': the record-breaker.
Malik Tillman, 83': punished another Mexico mistake.
Mexico finished with 10 men after second-half sub Mateo Chavez was sent off in the 67th minute.
Second half, we made some changes, fixed some tactical situations that made it easier for us to start to play.
For Sullivan, it caps a year of firsts. In August he became the first 16-year-old in MLS history with a goal contribution in four straight matches. Now, at 17, he owns a national-team record too.
