Photo: Kyle Grantham
Early Monday evening, Quinn Sullivan posted to his Instagram that he has torn his ACL, ending his 2025 campaign.
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An unfortunate occurrence for all parties involved, Sullivan’s injury forces him out after a promising season – two goals and seven assists in just under 2,000 minutes played in MLS play. The twenty-one year old is a pivotal piece of Bradley Carnell’s front line in leading the press, and his presence will be missed on the Union’s quest for the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in 2025.
The overall recovery timeline is unclear at the moment, but this likely puts Sullivan’s outside shot at a 2026 World Cup roster spot with the USMNT in peril. Such a tragic injury at such an important juncture of the season and a Quinn-sized hole will now be a problem Bradley Carnell will look to solve expediently.
Barring an unlikely change to the formation, a combination of Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev, Jeremy Rafanello, and Alejandro Bedoya are likely to fill the void at one of the “10’s” in the interim. Ben Bender could also see increased minutes, however, Saturday’s appearance was his first since July 5th – a sign he’s not necessarily high in the pecking order.
Poetically, perhaps it’s an opportunity for Cavan Sullivan to see more minutes as well.
It would be a chance for the sixteen year old to get his feet wet further and would certainly be the most meaningful minutes of his young career. Whether it’s next season, or further off, those minutes could be something the younger Sullivan calls back upon in far bigger moments in his career down the road.
No matter who fills the void, the Union will be hard-pressed to capture what Quinn is able to provide in anyone else on the roster. However, scoring six unanswered goals after Quinn left in the thirteenth minute on Saturday will go a long way for imparting confidence in the rest of the players.
Terrible news. It looked serious as he was trying to get off the field on Saturday night. Seriously in the EPL they’d have a stretcher for him!
The Iloski acquisition is looking even more timely now!
All the best for Quinn’s recovery!
This sucks. Indeed thankfully it’s fortunate that we have Iloski, but he’ll also have to stay healthy and mind the cards. Plus when he’s tired and/or has card trouble, he’ll need a sub. Then what is the question.
. . .
He’s still a young man aspiring for a solid pro career. Let’s hope from a human value standpoint as well as a team one that it doesn’t prove too costly to his availability plus the pep in his step as that kind of injury often does with direct and aggravated future events.
Cavan is 16 now,
Thanks, you’re right. Updated.
So bummed to hear this. But thank goodness for Iloski’s arrival!
Very tough break for Sullivan. This article states that Cavan is 16 and in same paragraph notes he is 15.
Thanks. Updated.
Ugh. Terrible for the kid. Been one of if not our most creative player this season. Hope he recovers well and quickly.
Wishing him a successful surgery and recovery. Unfortunately this is a long recovery for a soccer player. Due to all the cutting he is required to do. He is a key reason for the Unions success. He probably will not return to the field until mid summer next year. He should not push it any earlier even though he wants to. He has a bright future if he can rehab successfully Best if Luck to him.
I feel terrible for Quinn… Wishing him a full recovery, and all the patience, endurance, and support needed for it.
Quinn really has had a break-out season and this is awful both for him and the club. I hope that he recovers well and that he can thereafter stay healthy and productive.