Seventeen-year-old Cavan Sullivan became the first teenager in Major League Soccer history to record 21 goal contributions in a single season, assisting Bruno Damiani's go-ahead goal as the Philadelphia Union came from behind to beat Chicago Fire 3-1 at Soldier Field on Wednesday night.
The win was the Union's eighth straight victory and extended their club-record unbeaten streak to 14 matches, continuing one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the MLS season.
The record-breaking night
Sullivan's second-half assist on Damiani's strike was his 21st goal contribution of the season — seven goals and 14 assists — surpassing Diego Fagundez's longstanding record for a teenager in a single MLS campaign. His 14 assists also put him level with Lionel Messi, one behind league leader Son Heung-Min.
Chicago struck first through Haile-Selassie in the 44th minute, but the hosts were reduced to ten men when captain Jack Elliott picked up a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time. Milan Iloski equalized for the Union in the 49th minute, Sullivan teed up Damiani for the lead, and Damiani completed his brace with a 67th-minute strike to seal the result.
"Not really happy with my personal performance"
Remarkably, the record-setter was unsatisfied with his own display. "I played sort of terrible tonight," the 17-year-old homegrown star said after the match, adding that he is not focused on records or statistics. Interim head coach Ryan Richter praised his mentality, while teammate Neil Pierre said the squad supports the youngster's drive to do better.
The Union have been unbeaten since a 6-4 loss to Inter Miami on May 24, climbing from the bottom of the Eastern Conference in July to within touching distance of the top teams. They host Charlotte FC on October 17 as the playoff race intensifies.
Sources:
MLSSoccer.com: Cavan Sullivan makes MLS history as Philadelphia Union continue unstoppable form
TSN / AP: Union top Fire for eighth straight victory during club-record 14-match unbeaten streak
The win was the Union's eighth straight victory and extended their club-record unbeaten streak to 14 matches, continuing one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the MLS season.
The record-breaking night
Sullivan's second-half assist on Damiani's strike was his 21st goal contribution of the season — seven goals and 14 assists — surpassing Diego Fagundez's longstanding record for a teenager in a single MLS campaign. His 14 assists also put him level with Lionel Messi, one behind league leader Son Heung-Min.
Chicago struck first through Haile-Selassie in the 44th minute, but the hosts were reduced to ten men when captain Jack Elliott picked up a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time. Milan Iloski equalized for the Union in the 49th minute, Sullivan teed up Damiani for the lead, and Damiani completed his brace with a 67th-minute strike to seal the result.
"Not really happy with my personal performance"
Remarkably, the record-setter was unsatisfied with his own display. "I played sort of terrible tonight," the 17-year-old homegrown star said after the match, adding that he is not focused on records or statistics. Interim head coach Ryan Richter praised his mentality, while teammate Neil Pierre said the squad supports the youngster's drive to do better.
The Union have been unbeaten since a 6-4 loss to Inter Miami on May 24, climbing from the bottom of the Eastern Conference in July to within touching distance of the top teams. They host Charlotte FC on October 17 as the playoff race intensifies.
Sources:
MLSSoccer.com: Cavan Sullivan makes MLS history as Philadelphia Union continue unstoppable form
TSN / AP: Union top Fire for eighth straight victory during club-record 14-match unbeaten streak
