Thursday night, the Philadelphia Union kicked off the 2026 campaign in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Down in Trinidad and Tobago, the Union would down Defense Force FC 5-0. Now, the Union looks to stay hot as they open the MLS season in DC.
Tore Through the Force
Defense Force FC truly struggled to keep up with the Union. Despite the Union taking about half an hour to knock some preseason rust off, the last hour of the match was dominated by the boys in blue.
Milan Iloski got the party started in the 29th minute with a great free-kick goal. Then, Ezekiel Alladoh wasted no time showing Union fans what he can do. Alladoh got open in the box and sent a free header to the back of the net. Something Union fans are hoping will be common in 2026.
Despite the commanding 5-0 scoreline, the Union was far from its strongest starting 11. The reasons for that likely range from squad integration for new players, a few preseason knocks, and keeping legs fresh for a short recovery to DC. Ale Bedoya started in his usual spot down the right of the midfield, as fans were surprised to see Jeremy Rafanello start at right back.
Perhaps the most exciting takeaway is prodigy Cavan Sullivan starting the year firing. Sullivan would win a penalty kick and notch his first-ever assist with the Union in his time on as a substitute. Ultimately, Union head coach Bradley Carnell would say postgame that it is the sharpest he has seen young Sullivan look so far.
This Thursday, the Union will look to close out Defense Force in Chester, healthily. After that, they will be on to the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Off to DC
Now, the Union takes off the CCC hat and looks to MLS action kicking off. The Union will kick off the defense of the Supporters Shield against I-95 rivals DC United. There is more to the story than just the rivalry between the Union and DC. This will be the Union’s first time seeing their golden boot of 2025, Tai Baribo.
Baribo was traded to DC United early into the Union’s winter restructure of the roster. There is no doubt that Baribo will be eager to show his former team what they will be missing out on.
Simultaneously, DC United should be eager to try and flip what has recently been a one-sided rivalry. The Union has had DC’s number. In just the last 5 meetings, the Union has 4 wins, 1 draw, and a total scoreline of 18-3. Go back a few more seasons, and it just gets uglier for DC, including a 7-0 defeat to the Union in 2022.
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Despite the Philadelphia Union’s winter rebuild, one fact remained the same. Most eyes on the Union will be on Cavan Sullivan. With his brother, Quinn, recovering from injury and the roster opening up space in front of him on the depth chart, is 2026 finally the time we see Cavan Sullivan?
Eyes Have Been on Sullivan
Cavan Sullivan made his debut with the Union’s top-flight MLS team in historic fashion. Sullivan was just 14 years old when he saw his first MLS minutes. Consequently, he holds the record for the youngest player to appear in a North American professional sports league. However, Sullivan’s appearances became few and far between.
Since his debut in 2024, Sullivan has mustered 14 appearances and 223 minutes of playing time. In that time, he has yet to record a goal or assist. Sullivan’s time has mostly been spent with Union II and the United States Youth National Team. In the 2025 U-17 World Cup, Cavan Sullivan would play a pivotal role in leading the United States squad to the top of their group. Unfortunately, the squad fell in the round of 32 on penalties.
Most notably, of course, Sullivan would agree to a groundbreaking deal with European giants Manchester City in 2024. The agreement will have the Union transfer him to City when he turns 18 for a fee of around $5 million. It proves Sullivan’s promise and ability that a top-tier European club would make a commitment to a then-14-year-old.
Will Sullivan see a Bump in Playing time for 2026?
Unfortunately, one of the factors that led to Cavan Sullivan’s lack of opportunity was his position on the depth chart. However, the Union, despite capturing the Supporters Shield in 2025, have competely overhauled the roster. Additionally, Cavan’s brother, Quinn, tore his ACL down the stretch of 2025. Cavan and Quinn find themselves sharing similar playstyles. Both can be attacking midfielders anywhere on the field, but become lethal when they can stretch the field down the wings.
Although Quinn is sharing that his ACL recovery is going great, he won’t be expected back until a few months into the season. Cavan may also benefit greatly from the roster overhaul. Inserting Sullivan into a midfield that already had a feel of playing with each other could have backfired. Now, the likes of Daniel Gazdag, Tai Baribo, and Mikael Uhre are all gone. The Union, needing to rediscover its attacking identity, seems like the perfect time to factor Sullivan into the everyday lineup.
Now, Cavan Sullivan is still just 16 years old. Believing he will, or should, be starting every single game for the Union is just not feasible. However, there is a real chance Sullivan will be given the chance to create in 2026. No longer being a substitute, appearing after the 85th minute mark. Factor in the Union’s schedule, once again getting crowded, as they return to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Sullivan could be in a prime position to be a top choice off the bench and even get a start from time to time.
Union Fans are Ready for Cavan
At the end of the day, the Philadelphia Union’s bread and butter is youth development. The likes of Mark McKenzie, Brenden and Paxten Aaronson, and Jack McGlynn have all come and gone. The aforementioned players had their shot to perform in front of the Union faithful before their transfers. Cavan Sullivan has not yet.
In 2026, it may be the time Union fans finally get a full display of how talented Cavan Sullivan is and why Manchester City scooped him up when he was just 14 years old. Only time will tell, as the Union kick off 2026 in just over 2 weeks in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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Philadelphia sports teams have traveled far from home to play games.
Fans in other countries got to see American pro sports for the first time.
These games left everyone with stories they would tell for years.
Eagles Beat Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium
The Philadelphia Eagles went to London for their first game outside America on October 28, 2018. Wembley Stadium fits 85,870 people inside to watch the Super Bowl champs take down Jacksonville 24-18. Carson Wentz put up 286 yards and three touchdowns, but he also gave the ball away twice. After the game, fans voted him the best player on the field.
Wentz said the experience changed his perspective. He had visited London in 2015 to watch his brother Travis play for Kansas City against Detroit. This time felt completely different. The national anthem gave him chills. He realized how rare it was for NFL players to compete outside the United States.
Eagles fans took over the stadium. Jacksonville fans got outnumbered at least five to one. People chanted “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES” all game long. You would have thought they were playing in Philly instead of London.
The London game sparked discussions about expanding NFL markets around the world. Teams could reach new audiences and generate more revenue. American fans began asking if this meant they would have greater overseas availability of live broadcasts, merchandise, and betting markets through offshore sportsbooks that serve international audiences.
Philadelphia hasn’t returned to Europe since 2018. The team did make history again in 2024 by playing the first NFL game in South America. They faced Green Bay in Brazil before a sold-out crowd.
Sixers Lose to Barcelona in European Tour
The Philadelphia 76ers joined three other NBA teams for the 2006 Europe Live Tour. The league sent teams to Germany, Russia, France, Italy, and Spain between October 5-11. Philadelphia faced FC Barcelona and lost 104-99. The defeat stung because European teams rarely beat NBA squads.
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European clubs had only beaten NBA teams six times since 1978. Barcelona’s win was a huge shock in international basketball. Allen Iverson scored more points than anyone else in the tournament, but it didn’t matter. The Spanish team played just as hard and smart as Philadelphia did.
The tour wasn’t just about games. Players visited local schools and participated in clinics. They learned about different basketball cultures and met fans who followed the NBA from across the ocean. Many Sixers players said the experience opened their eyes to basketball’s global reach.
Philadelphia has stayed connected to international basketball. The team participates in NBA Global Games and maintains relationships with European organizations. These connections help the franchise scout talent and build its brand worldwide.
Flyers Players Go International for Hockey
Philadelphia Flyers players have played in big hockey tournaments for fifty years. The team has sent its best guys to the Canada Cup, World Cup of Hockey, and other top events since 1972.
Eric Lindros was the captain for Team Canada in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Two other Flyers made that team, too: Eric Desjardins and Rod Brind’Amour. Team USA had John LeClair and Joel Otto. Sweden picked Patrik Juhlin and Mikael Renberg. Philadelphia’s CoreStates Center got some games, including when Canada and the United States started their final series.
Canada picked three Flyers for the 1976 Canada Cup. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, and Reggie Leach all got spots on the team. That tournament ended up changing international hockey forever. Clarke scored an important goal in the finals against Czechoslovakia. Barber tied up a game late before Canada won it in extra time.
Philadelphia had the Czechoslovakian national team come play at the Spectrum in 1976. The Flyers beat them 6-1 and took way more shots – 42 to 21. Orest Kindrachuk and Mel Bridgman both scored twice. The win showed people around the world what the “Broad Street Bullies” were all about.
Union Get Their First Big Win Outside America
The Philadelphia Union got into international competition because they won the 2020 Supporters’ Shield. That trophy got them a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they played teams from North and Central America. They beat a team called Deportivo Saprissa from Costa Rica.
It was their first win against a foreign club. That game was also head coach Jim Curtin’s 100th win with the team. It showed everybody that Philadelphia could hang with the big soccer clubs from other countries.
The Union’s academy system regularly sends players to international youth tournaments. Kellan LeBlanc and Cavan Sullivan have joined U.S. national team programs. These young players represent both Philadelphia and American soccer on the global stage.
Philadelphia formed early partnerships with international clubs. Their affiliation with Deportivo Saprissa created opportunities for player exchanges and training partnerships. These relationships helped the Union learn from experienced international organizations and strengthen its presence in global soccer networks.
However, given the current state of the team, is the Union ready for the phenom?
Usually, the questions are reversed. A 14-year-old kid should be the one in question about making his pro debut. However, the Philadelphia Union is currently in a nosedive identity crisis.
At the moment, it needs to be asked if the Union is ready to provide growth to its once-in-a-lifetime talent.
Sullivan is the Real Deal
While the Aaronsons, Brenden, and Paxton set the standard for Union homegrown stars, Cavan Sullivan is on another level. At 14 years old, Sullivan was primed to be headed to European giants Manchester City. It was a shocking turn of events when Sullivan decided to stay home with his brother.
All that it took was the largest homegrown deal ever given in the history of the sport in this country. Sullivan is the real deal and has proven it in his rise through the Union’s academy system. After leading the Union Academy to multiple trophies, Sullivan will look to add to the Union’s thin trophy case before he heads off to stardom overseas.
The Union Are a Hot Mess
The Union’s current state is not pretty. For the first time in 12 years, it has suffered three consecutive home losses. The cushion the club had built early in the season has not only dissipated, but the Union now finds itself far off the top of the table.
However, the most concerning part of the poor form is the fact the team’s former stars have regressed ahead of schedule. Jacob Glesnes has been a shell of his former self, while Jack Elliot and Damion Lowe have not been up to par in picking up the slack. Andre Blake has been unable to play most of the games due to injury. Simultaneously, Jose Martinez has been well below his standards. All of the regression on the defensive side of the ball has anchored the Union in 2024. While the offense has been putting together some of the best strings of attack fans have seen, it hasn’t mattered, as opposing teams can score at will against the club.
Consequentially, regression is not the only culprit. While the Union has slid backward, the rest of the league has sprung forward. Union’s management refusal to invest substantial money into the club at its peak is starting to be the club’s downfall. The Union, as always, is missing that superstar who can take over the game by himself.
The biggest concern about Sullivan right now is if the first team is the right spot for him. As of right now, the answer may be no. Given the comments from players, coaches, and fans, there is a lot of tension in all phases of the club. It cannot be best for Sullivan to just get thrown into the fire.
However, once the dust starts to settle and the Union has a clear path forward, whether that path be a rebuild or continue pushing this core for a trophy, then Sullivan should start to break in. The timeline on the Union’s current path is unknown. If the summer transfer window comes and the Union is still tail spinning, perhaps the transfer of Julian Carranza will mark the start of a rebuild for the Union.
Nonetheless, the Union doesn’t have forever to figure it out. Once Sullivan turns 18, he is off to Manchester. While Sullivan will likely start slowly breaking into the first team this year, he has to be a focal point by no later than the start of next season. Not only do the coaches need to do right by Sullivan, but ownership needs to invest in him to spur his growth further.
The Union cannot mess up with Cavan Sullivan. While it is nearly impossible to do with his talent, the entire world is now watching. If the Union can successfully grow Cavan into the next phase of his game and push him to superstardom, the phone stays open for future talent. Other teams will look deeper into the Union’s academy for investing. On the other side, if the Union messes this up, not only will teams think twice before investing in the Union’s academy, but younger players will think twice as well.
At the end of the day, the Union has to sort out their form at the top level before Cavan Sullivan sniffs an MLS game.
Cavan Sullivan might not be able to save the current state of the Union, but he absolutely could be the face of the new era of the Philadelphia Union.
