For Norristown‘s Cavan Sullivan and his brother Quinn, soccer isn’t just a sport, it’s a family heirloom passed from generation to generation, writes Jonathan Tannenwald for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
With three Sullivan men now part of the U.S. Open Cup’s 111-year story, the legacy is alive and kicking.
It started with Larry Sullivan, who laced up his boots in the 1970s and even reached the 1977 Open Cup final with the United German-Hungarians. That Philly squad ultimately fell to Maccabee L.A., but decades later, a lucky find at the National Soccer Hall of Fame confirmed what family lore had always claimed: Larry played in the big game.
His son and Cavan’s father, Brendan carved his own path in the 1998 tournament. Brendan took Worcester Wildfire to a tense shootout against MLS’s Tampa Bay Mutiny, which featured World Cup talent. That wild match? Yellow cards, red cards — and Brendan booked just 12 minutes in.
Now, the spotlight’s on the youngest Sullivan, Cavan, a 15-year-old phenom with the Philadelphia Union. He could debut this week as the Union hosts Indy Eleven in the Cup’s round of 32. Big brother Quinn already made his Open Cup mark two years ago.
While Cavan’s future is electric, he’s grounded by the past — even calling history his favorite school subject. “It just means I’m carrying the tradition down.,” he said. “Hopefully my kids will too.”
To learn more about Cavan Sullivans’ remarkable soccer lineage, visit Philadelphia Inquirer.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO Today in May 2025.
