Cavan Sullivan, David Vazquez free kick squabble explained

During a weekly press conference with media members, Philadelphia Union II Head Coach Marlon LeBlanc shed some light on an interesting situation that occurred during Union II’s latest match that resulted in a 4-3 come from behind win and a third consecutive MLS Next playoff berth.

Union II allowed three goals in 11 minutes and were destined to lose. But the young club bounced back. They poured in three unanswered goals of their own thanks to Nick Pariano, Eddie Davis, and Frankie Westfield.

The win, the epic comeback, and the playoff berth seemed to be the likely storylines following the match.

But, much of the attention was fixated on the moments leading up the 64th minute headed goal from Westfield off a free kick in the attacking half for Philadelphia.

By now, you likely saw the video circulating around on the web. The hype machine around Cavan Sullivan is a bit too large to miss these days. And perhaps rightfully so.

14-year-old Cavan Sullivan wanted the free kick, and then played the perfect assist.

The swagger and confidence 🥶 pic.twitter.com/dltlinQbry

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 25, 2024

The spat that occurred is typical throughout professional soccer. But it also created some extra noise and drama that has surrounded the young Philadelphia farm club.

David Vazquez, a highly touted offensive minded player in his own right, seemed to disagree with Sullivan on who would take the free kick at such an opportune moment in the match. The two appeared to exchange a few light shoves before Vazquez waived his arm in disgust as he walked away allowing Sullivan to take it.

The ensuing free kick attempt from the 14-year old was right on the money. His bending ball was hit with pace and it landed directly on the head of the on running Westfield to officially complete the comeback. Union II held on to the 4-3 lead and secured the win.

The moment that caught the most attention is the stare down that Sullivan levied Vazquez’s way after the goal occurred. Some pundits have labeled the actions from Sullivan as ‘swagger and confidence.’ While others may be slightly concerned with the behavior from a player with such a high ceiling at such a young age.

LeBlanc, however, squashed all of that today.

“Let me be really clear,” LeBlanc prefaced. “I told Cavan [Sullivan] to take it. Davi [Vazquez] typically takes our free kicks, but he struggled on a couple deliveries prior to that. So in that moment, I was the one who told Cavan to take it.”

LeBlanc continued clarifying what some may have misinterpreted as a feud between the two young teammates.

“I think what you saw there in that moment was natural in football, two guys who want to help the team and want to put a ball into the area. And a coach’s decision that ended the debate between the two. I think it is out of context. Both guys are fine. They’re both going to continue to do well and score goals. I promise you this, they go and they win together this weekend. If they’re both playing for us this weekend, you’ll probably see them very, very happy to be teammates.”