Cavan Sullivan goal reminiscent of another teenage Union goal scorer

Cavan Sullivan’s audacious back heel goal in first half stoppage time against San Diego FC on Sunday night was the latest rabbit the teenage magician has pulled out of his hat in an incredible run of form that has helped the Philadelphia Union catapult up the standings and into a guaranteed playoff spot following a second straight 5-0 win.

The 16-year-old’s goal also brought back memories of a teenager who was turning heads for the Philadelphia Union 14 years ago. Jack McInerney scored a similar back heel flick goal against the LA Galaxy on July 4, 2012. Like Cavan’s goal it was in first half stoppage time of a 0-0 game in southern California. It was also a game that Union went on to win though not as convincingly as last night’s.

McInerney was 19 at the time of the goal – his third of the season and 4th in his Union career – and would go on to score a total of 22 in MLS play over his four seasons in Chester. He made stops in Montreal, Columbus, Portland and LA Galaxy before two stints in the USL Championship and just recently came out of a six-year retirement to play for CS Saint-Laurent in Quebec, Canada at age 34.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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