CHESTER, Pa.—The Philadelphia Union’s young talent continues to impress on the international stage as several first team, second team, and Academy players played in the U-17 World Cup and various national team camps. A round up of the last few weeks of youth national team action for the Union:
U-17 Men’s National Teams
The One Team We Agree On covered the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar extensively during the United States’ run, so be sure to check out our previous articles covering those matches. The US went a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage, defeating Burkina Faso, Tajikistan, and Czechia. Midfielder Cavan Sullivan was Man of the Match for all three, and had four goal contributions with two goals and two assists. While the US would go on to lose to Morocco in penalty kicks after giving up the late equalizer, Sullivan was a standout in the match.
Bradley Carnell shared his thoughts on Sullivan’s performance in the U-17 World Cup in his press conference ahead of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against NYCFC.
“I think if you see the way Cavan put himself about and, to Cavan’s benefit, he plays up a few years and always now, you expect him to stand out when you play with your same age group, and I think he did that,” Carnell said. “And I think three Man of the Match performances out of his four gives them excellent scope of, you know, that we’re on the right track.”
Indeed, Sullivan has been playing against players several years older than him, and in some cases, twice his age or more. After making his Union II debut in 2024 and spending the bulk of his time there, his role with the first team increased in 2025. Carnell noted this, saying “Cavan’s produced some big minutes for us, big meaning contributions. He’s come on in certain cameos at the end of games, and has produced for us. And he trains with us every single day.”
He continued, “And you know, I think in 2024 he amassed eight minutes, if I’m not mistaken, and now with the Open Cup games, and you know, our run going deeper. Now he’s into probably close to 400 if I’m not mistaken. So in terms of a player pathway and a progression, he’s progressing in the right way, because you could see the performance he put on at the World Cup.”
Sullivan, along with Union II teammates Jamir Johnson, Jordan Griffin, and Kellan LeBlanc, represented club and country well. They were not the only U-17s in action recently. The 2009 group of the U-17 Men’s National Team were in Dubai for the Youth to Pro Tournament as they prepare qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. They played England (5-2 loss), Australia (1-0 win), and Ivory Coast (4-2 loss).
Union II striker Malik Jakupovic was impressive, scoring four goals in the three matches—and they were emphatic goals at that. As anyone who has watched Jakupovic at the Academy or MLS Next Pro level knows, he can finish. He received awards for Top Goal Scorer and Player of the Tournament. Academy goalkeeper Matthew White was also on the squad.
U-19 Men’s National Team
Center back Neil Pierre was called to the U-19 (2007) MNT to play three friendlies in Wrexham, Wales. They defeated Germany 2-1, lost to Wales 5-4 in penalties after drawing 1-1, and defeated Japan 1-0. Pierre displayed his strong defensive skills and knack for quality passes.
U-20 Men’s National Team
Three Union players featured with the U-20 Men’s National Team in their camp in Costa Rica, where they played two friendlies against their host. Per US Soccer, “The camp is part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.”
Midfielder CJ Olney, forward Eddy Davis, and goalkeeper Andrew Rick saw action in the squad led by coach Rob Valentino. Rick was in goal for their first match, and aside from a golazo he could do nothing about, had a relatively easy time in their 2-1 win. Eddy Davis came off the bench and scored the game-winning goal on a header.
In the second match, the US was victorious 4-0, which included a brace by Davis and a screamer of a goal by Olney, which was assisted by Davis.
Carnell also shared his thoughts about the call ups of Pierre, Davis, Olney, and Rick. “CJ had a great camp. He really enjoyed working with Rob. And yeah, obviously he ends off his camp with a nice goal, but I think everyone contributed and showed off exactly what the Union are about and the way we go about our player development and the player pathway. So, you know, it’s successful to get our guys out there.”
He touted the accomplishments of the organization at the international level, and summed it up by pointing out, “I think over the course of the year, we’ve had 57 call ups throughout the club, within the academy. So it’s incredible work by Academy staff and the players representing us in the highest way possible.”
Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union II
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