Cavan Sullivan Makes MLS History as Philadelphia Union Rout New York Red Bulls
- Cavan Sullivan became the first 16-year-old in Major League Soccer history to record goal contributions in four straight matches, scoring in the 50th minute to help the Philadelphia...
- The victory in north Jersey pushes Philadelphia's unbeaten streak in league play to seven games, lifting the Union to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-10-6 record...
- Milan Iloski opened the scoring for Philadelphia in the 21st minute, tapping in a loose ball from near the goal line for his career-high 11th goal of the...
Cavan Sullivan became the first 16-year-old in Major League Soccer history to record goal contributions in four straight matches, scoring in the 50th minute to help the Philadelphia Union defeat the New York Red Bulls 3-1 on Saturday, according to reports from The Associated Press and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia Union Extends Unbeaten Run to Seven Matches
The victory in north Jersey pushes Philadelphia’s unbeaten streak in league play to seven games, lifting the Union to 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-10-6 record and 24 points, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The team sits just one point behind Toronto FC for the ninth and final playoff spot. According to The Associated Press, Sullivan’s second-half strike marked his third goal of the season in 34 career appearances and made him only the third player in league history age 18 or younger to notch a scoring contribution in four straight games.
Milan Iloski opened the scoring for Philadelphia in the 21st minute, tapping in a loose ball from near the goal line for his career-high 11th goal of the season, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Indiana Vassilev and Danley Jean Jacques both collected their first two assists of the season on the opening sequences.
Second-Half Surge Secures Road Victory
Jean Jacques initiated the sequence for Sullivan’s milestone goal early in the second half, delivering a cross-field pass to the right wing that Sullivan trapped, cut inside, and lashed into the far corner of the net, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The strike extended Philadelphia’s lead to 2-0.
Eighteen-year-old Neil Pierre added a third goal for the visitors in the 65th minute off a free-kick sequence, sliding the ball in at the back post after a flick from Bruno Damiani, as detailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The strike was Pierre’s fourth goal in nine appearances since returning from Danish club Lyngby.
Red Bulls Struggle to Overcome Early Deficit
The Red Bulls avoided a shutout in the 74th minute when 37-year-old substitute striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting netted his third goal of the season, according to The Associated Press. New York manager Michael Bradley had shifted to a two-striker setup at halftime, but his side failed to mount a full comeback.
Goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded three saves for Philadelphia to preserve the road win, while Ethan Horvath stopped one shot for New York, which dropped to 7-10-5 overall and 0-3-1 in their last four matches, per The Associated Press. The Union earned their sixth road victory in 20 tries against their rivals, holding a 17-15-9 edge in the all-time series.
Next up, Philadelphia returns home to host CF Montreal on Saturday, while New York travels to face the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, according to The Associated Press.