Cavan Sullivan: Red Card, Quinn, Salary, Contract and High School

Cavan Sullivan continues to attract major attention as one of the most promising young soccer players in the United States. The Philadelphia Union midfielder made headlines again on August 19, 2026, when he was sent off late in the Union’s 2-2 draw against Inter Miami.

The 16-year-old had already made an impact in the match by registering an assist before receiving a stoppage-time red card. The incident also involved his older brother, Quinn Sullivan, making the latest chapter in the brothers’ Philadelphia Union story particularly memorable.

Beyond the red card, fans frequently search for information about Cavan Sullivan’s salary, contract, relationship with Quinn Sullivan and high school education. Here is everything to know about the young American prospect.

Cavan Sullivan red card

Cavan Sullivan received a red card during Philadelphia Union’s 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on August 19, 2026.

Sullivan had an impressive offensive contribution before his dismissal. He assisted on the Union’s equalizing goal, giving him his seventh assist of the season. However, the match ended with controversy when Sullivan and Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright were both sent off during stoppage time following an off-ball confrontation.

Reports indicate that the altercation began with Cavan’s older brother, Quinn Sullivan, before the situation escalated and resulted in the two red cards.

The sending-off overshadowed what had otherwise been another important performance from the teenage midfielder.

What happened with Quinn Sullivan?

Quinn Sullivan is Cavan Sullivan’s older brother and a fellow Philadelphia Union player.

The brothers have shared the field for the Union, creating one of the more interesting family stories in Major League Soccer. Cavan is regarded as one of the most highly touted young American prospects, while Quinn has already established himself as a professional player.

Their relationship became part of the latest Inter Miami match when the stoppage-time confrontation that led to Cavan’s dismissal reportedly began with Quinn.

Cavan and Quinn have therefore become familiar names to Philadelphia soccer supporters, not only because of their individual abilities but also because they are brothers playing professional soccer for the same club.

Cavan Sullivan salary

Cavan Sullivan’s salary has attracted considerable interest because he became a professional at an exceptionally young age.

MLS Players Association data previously listed Sullivan’s base salary at $200,000, with $364,000 in guaranteed compensation for his first professional season. Those figures were reported after he signed with Philadelphia Union as a teenager.

More recent salary databases estimate his 2026 fixed salary at approximately $450,000 per year, or about $8,654 per week, excluding bonuses. Capology stresses that its figures are estimates rather than official club-confirmed numbers.

Because publicly available salary figures can change and different sources use different compensation definitions, readers should distinguish between an official MLS Players Association figure and later salary estimates.

Cavan Sullivan contract

Sullivan signed with Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown player in May 2024.

His contract was one of the most closely watched MLS deals involving a teenage player. The agreement was guaranteed through the 2028 season, according to reporting on his contract.

Salary information from Capology currently lists his Philadelphia Union contract as running through December 31, 2028, with an estimated $450,000 gross fixed salary for the 2026 season.

His original agreement also attracted international attention because of an arrangement involving Manchester City.

Cavan Sullivan and Manchester City

One of the biggest reasons Cavan Sullivan became a global prospect is his connection to Manchester City.

When Sullivan signed his professional agreement with Philadelphia Union, the deal included an arrangement for him to join Manchester City when he becomes eligible at age 18. Sports Illustrated noted that his professional contract included a clause connected to a future Manchester City move.

The arrangement was significant because it gave Sullivan the opportunity to develop in MLS before potentially moving to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

However, the Manchester City connection does not mean that Sullivan is already a Manchester City first-team player. He remains a Philadelphia Union player while continuing his development in MLS.

Cavan Sullivan high school

Another frequently searched topic is Cavan Sullivan’s high school education.

Sullivan entered professional soccer at an age when most players would still be concentrating primarily on youth soccer and school. His education has therefore been an important part of his development away from the field.

By 2026, Sullivan had reached the high school graduation stage. Sports Illustrated reported on his progression from high school graduation to scoring his first professional goal, highlighting how quickly his life has changed since becoming a professional player.

His path has been different from that of a typical American teenager. Instead of following a conventional school-to-college-to-professional sports route, Sullivan moved directly into the professional game while continuing to balance education and elite soccer.

Who is Cavan Sullivan?

Cavan Sullivan is an American soccer midfielder who plays for the Philadelphia Union in MLS.

Born on September 28, 2009, Sullivan became famous as a teenage prospect because of his technical ability and unusually advanced soccer skills.

He made his MLS debut for Philadelphia Union at just 14 years old in July 2024, becoming one of the youngest players to appear in an MLS match.

His rise has been closely followed by American soccer fans because he represents a new generation of U.S. players developing within the MLS system before potentially moving to Europe.

Cavan Sullivan and his family

Soccer is deeply connected to the Sullivan family.

His older brother Quinn is also a professional soccer player with Philadelphia Union. The two brothers have trained and played together, giving Cavan an experienced family member inside the professional game.

Their father, Brendan Sullivan, also played soccer, while their family has been closely involved in Cavan’s development.

The presence of Quinn has been particularly valuable because Cavan has been able to experience professional soccer alongside someone he already knows and trusts.

Cavan Sullivan career

Sullivan’s professional career began with Philadelphia Union after he signed his Homegrown contract in 2024.

He quickly became one of the most recognizable teenage players in MLS. His combination of youth, technical quality and confidence on the ball has made him a major prospect for both American soccer and European clubs.

In 2026, his development continued to accelerate. His first professional goal and increasing involvement with Philadelphia have given supporters more evidence of his attacking potential. Sports Illustrated highlighted his progression in 2026 following his high school graduation and first professional goal.

His assist against Inter Miami on August 19 further demonstrated his ability to influence MLS matches despite his young age.

Cavan Sullivan stats

Sullivan’s statistics are still developing because he is only 16 years old.

However, his 2026 campaign has already produced notable attacking contributions. Against Inter Miami, he recorded his seventh assist of the season before being sent off late in the game.

That performance illustrates why Philadelphia Union continue to give the teenager opportunities at the senior level.

Rather than judging Sullivan only by goals, his ability to create chances, progress the ball and contribute to attacking moves is an important part of his overall profile.

Why Cavan Sullivan is so highly rated

Several factors separate Sullivan from the average young American soccer player.

First, he reached the professional level at an extraordinarily young age. Second, he has already gained meaningful MLS experience against established professionals. Third, his technical ability has attracted interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

His potential move to Manchester City gives him another long-term objective, but his immediate task remains developing with Philadelphia Union.

The key challenge for Sullivan is maintaining steady progress without allowing expectations surrounding him to become overwhelming.

What’s next for Cavan Sullivan?

Following his red card against Inter Miami, attention will turn to Sullivan’s availability for Philadelphia Union’s upcoming matches.

The dismissal came after he had already contributed an assist, so the match represented both the positive and challenging sides of being a young professional. His ability to make an attacking impact was followed by an avoidable disciplinary moment.

For Sullivan, the experience should become another part of his learning curve.

At just 16, he has already experienced MLS competition, international attention, a major future transfer arrangement and the pressure that comes with being considered one of America’s brightest prospects.

Cavan Sullivan FAQs

How old is Cavan Sullivan?

Cavan Sullivan was born on September 28, 2009. He is 16 years old as of August 2026.

What happened to Cavan Sullivan?

Sullivan was sent off late in Philadelphia Union’s 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on August 19, 2026. He had earlier recorded an assist in the match.

Is Cavan Sullivan related to Quinn Sullivan?

Yes. Quinn Sullivan is Cavan Sullivan’s older brother, and both players have played for Philadelphia Union.

How much does Cavan Sullivan make?

His first MLS salary was reported as $200,000 in base salary and $364,000 in guaranteed compensation. More recent salary estimates put his 2026 fixed salary at around $450,000, excluding bonuses.

When does Cavan Sullivan’s contract expire?

His Philadelphia Union contract is reported to be guaranteed through the 2028 season, with salary databases listing an expiration date of December 31, 2028.

Did Cavan Sullivan graduate from high school?

Yes. Reports in 2026 highlighted his transition from high school graduation to his first professional goal.

Is Cavan Sullivan going to Manchester City?

Sullivan has an arrangement connected to a future move to Manchester City when he reaches the appropriate age. Until then, he remains with Philadelphia Union and continues his professional development in MLS.

Conclusion

Cavan Sullivan’s story is developing unusually quickly. At only 16, he has already become a professional MLS player, graduated from high school, scored his first professional goal and attracted attention because of his future Manchester City arrangement.

His latest red card against Inter Miami added another talking point to his growing profile, especially because the incident involved his brother Quinn Sullivan. Still, the assist he recorded in the same match showed why Philadelphia continues to trust his talent.

With several years of development still ahead, Sullivan remains one of the most intriguing young American soccer players to watch.