Two of American soccer's most closely watched teenage talents, Cavan Sullivan and Justin Ellis, have received their first call-ups to the U.S. men's national team ahead of the September-October international window, part of a roster that includes a dozen new call-ups alongside returning World Cup stars like Malik Tillman, Alex Freeman and Sebastian Berhalter.

Cavan Sullivan: MLS's Youngest-Ever Player

Sullivan, listed among the forwards for Philadelphia Union, is 16 years old and among a dozen first-time call-ups, having scored four goals and provided four assists in his last seven games for Philadelphia.

Born September 28, 2009, Sullivan grew up around the Philadelphia Union organization and joined its academy at age 10. He comes from a soccer family — his older brother Quinn also plays for the Union, and the two shared the field the night Cavan made history. As Sullivan put it when he signed his first professional contract at 14, playing for the Union meant getting to play for his city in front of his family, friends and fans, and doing it alongside his brother was a dream come true.

That contract was itself a landmark: at just 14 years old, Sullivan became the youngest player in club history to join the first team, and the fifth-youngest to ever sign a first-team contract in MLS history. Weeks later, he broke an even bigger record. Coming off the bench against the New England Revolution in July 2024, Sullivan became the youngest player to debut in all of major North American professional sports at 14 years and 293 days old, surpassing the mark Freddy Adu had held since 2004. Adu himself congratulated him afterward, writing that it was a hard record to break and that Sullivan had done it well.

Sullivan already has a move to Europe lined up: he has a deal in place to join Manchester City once he turns 18, though he remains under contract with Philadelphia until then. He's continued developing at both levels, saying last year he hoped for a men's national team call-up in 2026, even though a lot of people think that's a far dream. That dream has now arrived — should he appear in a match before turning 17 later this month, he would become one of only eight players to ever represent the United States at 16 years old or younger.

Justin Ellis: Homegrown Product with Dual Heritage

Ellis, called into camp as one of the roster's forwards alongside Sullivan, brings a different but equally rapid rise. Born May 14, 2007, in Wellington, Florida, Ellis is a product of Orlando City's academy system. Through his mother, he's also eligible to represent Uruguay, though he's opted to pursue the U.S. pathway, having already earned caps at the U-18 and U-19 levels.

Ellis made an early mark internationally: on his debut for the U.S. U-18 team in Japan, he scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute against Japan, securing a 4-3 victory, then followed it up two days later with the opening goal in a win over Peru.

Domestically, Ellis climbed every rung of Orlando City's development pathway. He signed a first-team Homegrown contract this past February after a standout academy career in which he scored 18 goals for Orlando City's U-19 team, won MLS NEXT MVP and took home the Golden Boot as the Lions won their first Generation adidas Cup title. Orlando City's sporting director, Ricardo Moreira, called it a milestone moment, noting that Ellis had excelled at every level — the academy, Orlando City B and his first-team opportunities — through dedication and a drive to keep improving.

Ellis made his MLS debut in May 2025 against Charlotte FC and has since become a regular contributor for Orlando City's first team, notching goals and assists through the 2026 season.

Two Paths, One Milestone

Sullivan and Ellis represent two distinct tracks to the top of American soccer — one a record-breaking prodigy already bound for the Premier League, the other a steady academy riser with dual-nationality ties to South America. Their call-ups this window mark the next step for both as they look to translate youth national team success into senior appearances for the United States.

All Photos: Alex Menendez