New York– Messi has not missed a game since returning to MLS after the World Cup, contributing 12 goals in 10 games for Inter Miami. That leaves the Argentinian icon as the only player to go alongside Philadelphia Union player Kavan Sullivan, who was born after Messi won his second Champions League title with Barcelona.
“I don’t know,” Sullivan claimed Tuesday. “It’s cool. Like I said, I just want to show what I can do. I tell people the goal contributions will come with the games, but as always, winning is the most important, 10 [games] undefeated [with the Union] Very special. “
If you’ve ever wondered what the hype is like, a few minutes in and around the Sullivan Tracks will do the trick. The 16-year-old may have quietly walked into the EA Sports FC 27 launch party on Tuesday, but he was quickly surrounded by well-wishers, media requests and the growing attention that has accompanied his rise.
Delete after two days heel score and nutmeg keeper The Philadelphia United attacker grabbed the spotlight in Santiago – his five goals and seven assists mean he joins Messi as MLS’s top goalscorer. He claimed at the time that he didn’t know if his first call-up to the senior U.S. Men’s National Team was imminent, but the good news will reportedly be made official this week. According to ESPN. The midfielder appears to have taken the hint, a week after US national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said he and his staff were “watching everything.” Depending on who you ask, it’s the final step in his journey to the national team – understanding the requirements of his dream job, now that it’s finally within his reach.
“I’m just trying to develop my game and get better every day and hopefully continue to prove myself, prove [to] What in the world can I do in a game and have fun,” he said.
Sullivan’s impressive performance allowed him to seamlessly fill the attention vacuum after the World Cup in North America captivated American audiences. He basically broke out when he was given a prominent role in the league, and his promotion didn’t come until this summer. Sullivan, the youngest player to make his MLS debut at 14, was understandably slow to break into the first-team squad, but was given a larger role by interim head coach Ryan Richter, who replaced Bradley Carnell when he was sacked ahead of the World Cup. Since then, Sullivan has made his moment count and attributed it to the changing atmosphere in the league’s locker rooms.
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“I think it’s just a spiritual thing, a faith thing,” he said of the change in tone around the league, which was below the playoff line before the World Cup and now has a three-point cushion on the other side of the line. “Healthy competitiveness. There’s a lot of excitement in the dressing room to show the excitement in training and games. When we score, we celebrate. Sometimes we plan celebrations and then we just have fun.”
Just weeks away from his 17th birthday, there’s something humorous about the idea that Sullivan would have to wait until the second half of the MLS season to get his chance. Cannell limited his playing time to 42.2 minutes per game, and he only scored 1 goal and 2 assists in 13 consecutive games. His performance after the World Cup was an example of a player having his moment, even if his skills were developed with a lot of energy and flair.
“I think just like everyone else on the team,” he said of how he got through the tough early part of the league’s season and his playing time, “just keep your head down, work hard, keep working hard… I have this winning mentality. I really love winning, and that’s where competitiveness comes from ever since I was a kid. I think it’s just that [that] My drive is innate. “
However, Sullivan’s subtlety isn’t necessarily for his national team aspirations. Like everyone around him, he knows a generational shift is coming for the U.S. national team as the long road to the 2030 World Cup begins with fall friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada in late September and early October. The fourth of four football brothers, two of whom, thanks to his grandmother’s origins, now play in Bangladesh’s youth teams, he also sees no need to hide.
“Obviously, everyone dreams of playing for Team USA,” he said. “As a kid living in the United States, this is the biggest goal, this is the biggest honor, so to be able to represent the national team will be a blessing. All four Sullivan brothers dreamed of playing for the United States. [Older brother] Quinn has done that, so it’s a really cool moment for the family. “