ORLANDO— The Philadelphia Union homegrown trio of Neil Pierre, Cavan Sullivan, and Frankie Westfield have arrived on the senior level of US Soccer. All three made their debut in the US Men’s National Team’s 4-1 victory over Peru in an international friendly on Saturday and more than held their own.
Sullivan, who will celebrate his 17th birthday tomorrow, got the start along with two other teenagers in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting eleven as Peyton Miller and Justin Ellis also got the nod. In front of a sold-out crowd a Inter.co Stadium, coincidentally the home stadium that Sullivan’s club was facing that evening back in Philadelphia, the young phenom lived up to the enormous amount of hype that surrounds him as he played confidently and skillfully.
Along with the aforementioned teens, former Union homegrowns Matt Freese and Auston Trusty also were in the starting eleven. Rounding out the lineup were captain Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Yunus Musah, Alex Freeman, Malik Tillman, and Chester, Pennsylvania-born George Campbell. Amongst those on the bench were 18-year-old center back Pierre and 20-year-old Westfield.
The US got off to a hot start, with Ellis, playing on his home field in Orlando, scoring in the fourth minute when he headed in the opening goal off a free kick by Reyna. Peru scored the equalizer in the 15th minute as the teams battled.
Sullivan played energetically for his 62-minute appearance, looking like he belonged on the pitch. Pochettino certainly was impressed and praised the young midfielder in his post-game presser. At 16 years, 363 days, he was the fourth-youngest player to debut for the USMNT.
“I am so happy with his performance,” Pochettino said of Cavan. “I feel really proud. 16-year-old, performing and fighting, and playing with personality, with character. I am so happy with him. Of course, he’s a kid [that] absorbs a lot of pressure from the environment. But now I think he’s with people, like people in his club, that we are going to do everything to protect and to help and to support him to keep him evolving. And it’s no doubt that he is very smart.”
“I’ve dreamed of this day my entire childhood. This means so much to me and my family, and it’s an extreme honor to represent my country,” Sullivan told Melissa Ortiz in a post-match interview.
The US tacked on two more goals to take the lead in the second half, with a penalty kick buried by Malik Tillman in the 66th minute, and a goal by young debutant Julian Hall in the 72nd minute, who had just subbed on. As it was a friendly, the team was able to make 11 substitutions.
The next Union homegrown to make his USMNT debut was Frankie Westfield, who came on in the 77th minute at right back. It was a massive moment for the native of Northeast Philly whose trajectory changed just over two years ago when he bet on himself, forgoing the college route and signing professionally with Union II, and eventually the homegrown contract with the Union.
Center back Neil Pierre came on in the 87th for his debut, giving the United States half of the Philadelphia Union’s back line for the remainder of the match and two defenders very used to playing together. They had a strong showing and looked composed, defending well as the match was wrapping up. As with Sullivan, they looked like they belonged there, and meshed well with both the veterans and youngsters.
The Americans capped off the day with a golazo by Sebastian Berhalter in the 90th minute, sealing the 4-1 victory.
After what had been a disappointing end to the United States’ run in the World Cup, a new cycle and a new chapter began on Saturday. It was only one match, with three more to go during the window, but it was a day of positivity and gave reasons to be optimistic looking at the future of of US Soccer taking the pitch. For Sullivan, Westfield, and Pierre, it is certainly a momentous time their club is on a record-breaking run post-World Cup, and they have just put their talents on display at the highest level for their country.
Main article photo credit: Philadelphia Union
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