Cavan Sullivan has made US soccer history with a little help from a misplay by Mexico’s goalkeeper.
Sullivan scored his first-ever goal for the US Men’s National Team in the second half of Saturday’s friendly against Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The American wunderkind’s goal was far from ordinary.
Mexico, trailing 1-0, was threatening an equalizer with a free kick in the 62nd minute. The American defense thwarted El Tri’s attack, forcing Mexico to play the ball all the way back to keeper Raul Rangel.
Sullivan picked off a lazy pass from Rangel and fired a strike from well outside Mexico’s penalty box to make it 2-0.
CAVAN SULLIVAN PICKS HIS POCKET AND SENDS IT IN FROM WAYYYYYY DOWNTOWN! #USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/tTiumwSPsS
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) October 4, 2026
Sullivan became the youngest ever to score a goal for the USMNT at 17 years and 5 days old. He surpassed Mathis Albert, who had scored his first goal at 17 years and 131 days old against Chile just four days earlier.
Christian Pulisic previously held the record, scoring his first goal at 17 years and 253 days old.
Malik Tillman provided the finishing touch for the US with a third goal to seal a 3-0 victory.
