Philadelphia Union interim head coach Ryan Richter hailed Cavan Sullivan's ability to "find a way to create goals" after the youngster racked up more assists in their 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake.
Sullivan always 'finds a way' to help Philadelphia, says Richter
Teenage sensation Cavan Sullivan played a big part in helping the Philadelphia Union to a seventh straight win.
The Union are now up to sixth in the Eastern Conference after continuing their impressive winning streak, stretching it to seven games.
Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski scored the goals for Philadelphia, with Sullivan playing a big part in both, before Saba Lobjanidze netted a 96th-minute consolation.
The Union are unbeaten in their last 13 matches, since a 6-4 loss to Inter Miami before the World Cup break.
With his two assists, Sullivan set the MLS single-season record for goal contributions by a teenager (21), surpassing Alphonso Davies (19 in 2018 for the Vancouver Whitecaps) and Diego Fagundez (20 in 2013 for the New England Revolution).
He had three shots – worth just 0.1 expected goals (xG) – and only four touches in the opposition box, though he created a joint-team-high two chances against Real Salt Lake.
And though Ritcher did not believe Sullivan was at his best, he was still impressed by the youngster's impact.
"I did not think it was his best game," said Richter. "He was solid, I would say.
"Even in a game where he wasn't electric in the way he has been in most games, he still has a hand in the first goal for the assist, and then he kind of makes the play that leads to the action for the second goal.
"Even when everything is not coming off perfectly… he still finds a way to create both goals that we had."
While Philadelphia have boosted their postseason hopes, Vancouver clinched their playoff berth in the West after a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC.
Despite having Tristan Blackmon sent off in the sixth minute, Vancouver scored first through Oliver Larraz and held out for a point after Denis Bouanga's equaliser.
Toronto FC also closed in on the playoffs after a stunning comeback against rivals CF Montreal, scoring twice in second-half stoppage time to win 2-1 and move within four points of ninth-place FC Cincinnati.
And Antoine Griezmann starred for Orlando City, who are up to seventh in the East, as he got a goal and an assist in their last-gasp 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew.
