Cavan Sullivan Named MLS MVP Finalist at 17

Cavan Sullivan has been named one of five finalists for Major League Soccer’s Landon Donovan MVP award, putting the 17-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder in contention against Lionel Messi, Evander, Guilherme and Hany Mukhtar. Sullivan is the youngest player ever shortlisted for the league’s top individual honor and its first teenage finalist.

Messi is favored after scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists for Inter Miami. His goals led the league, and he became the first player to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons. Miami scored 80 goals overall but conceded 59.

Sullivan’s case rests on a breakout season for Philadelphia. Since August, he has recorded eight goals and 10 assists across 14 MLS appearances. He leads the Union in assists, goal contributions and successful dribbles per 90 minutes, and scored twice in the club’s 4–1 win over Toronto on Decision Day to help secure a playoff place.

He is also among the three finalists for Young Player of the Year, an award for the league’s best player aged 22 or younger. The remaining nominees are Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti of New York, and Sullivan is considered the favorite.

The MVP voting has concluded. Team technical staffs, players and media each accounted for one-third of the vote. Philadelphia interim manager Ryan Richter was not among the Coach of the Year finalists; the shortlist includes Nashville’s B.J. Callaghan, St. Louis’ Yoann Damet and Vancouver’s Jesper Sørensen.