FC Cincinnati 2 prepping for 'once in a generation talent' Cavan Sullivan of Philadelphia

FC Cincinnati 2's biggest game in 2024 to-date should feature a kind of star power that's uncommon in the MLS Next Pro ranks.

When FC Cincinnati 2 hosts undefeated Philadelphia Union II on Sunday at Northern Kentucky University's Scudamore Field, "FCC2" will be anticipating the presence of 14-year-old Union phenom, Cavan Sullivan.

Sullivan, a left-footed attacking midfielder, is the latest player to emerge from the Union's storied talent-development pipeline. He's definitely the most hyped player to emerge from the pipeline, too, after reigning European champion Manchester City FC paid a multimillion dollar transfer fee for Sullivan to eventually join the club when he turns 18.

The transfer deal was international news, not to mention a historic moment for the Union. Now, the player at the center of it all is expected to make the trip to face FC Cincinnati 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

FC Cincinnati 2 manager Tyrone Marshall said during a Thursday interview that Sullivan was "probably a once-in-a-generation talent."

"The focus is on the collective," Marshall said. "Guys are gonna impact the team but our focus isn't on the individual. It's on the collective... We know he's a good talent, an exceptional talent. But with that being said, everyone has to do their job. If he comes out and plays, great. We just have to make sure we nullify his strengths, let him play, and see if we can match up with him. It's a good opportunity if he does play to see what he can do and see if (our) guys maybe use this as more motivation. Sometimes when you have a spotlight coming in, guys are hyped up and our guys might respond differently.

"We hope he plays but if not, we're prepared for the collective."

A new chapter in the Cincy-Philly rivalry?

The Cincinnati and Philadelphia first-teams have a healthy running feud in MLS that's been accelerated by MLS Cup playoff meetings the last two years. These clubs don't need high-stakes postseason matches to get a rise out of one another, though. Even preseason matches can cause tempers to flare.

FC Cincinnati's academy penned a new chapter in the rivalry at Generation Adidas Cup, and Sullivan had a front-row view for it. FCC's Under-17 team defeated Sullivan and his Union academy teammates in a group-stage match. The win was celebrated by Cincinnati as a marker of how far its academy has grown since launching in summer 2019, although the Union had the last laugh as it went on to win the U17 tournament.

FC Cincinnati 2 has beaten Union II previously, but a win with Sullivan could further stoke the rivalry fire.

A strong test for FCC2 with or without Sullivan

Cincinnati will have its hands full with Philadelphia regardless of Sullivan's presence. The Union are the last remaining unbeaten side out of 29 teams in MLS Next Pro, Major League Soccer's development-minded reserve competition.

Most of that progress has been earned without Sullivan, who has played just 58 minutes over two appearances with Union II this season.

"It's gonna be a good test for us. Obviously, Philly hasn't lost a game yet. They play a different brand of football. They're a scrappy team," Marshall said. "They have the identity. They play that 4-4-2 diamond (formation). They have guys that fit in that system and have good continuity, and sometimes the game's not pretty. It's up to us to see if we can match their intensity and be scrappy. But then when the moment calls for us to put the ball on the ground and do the right thing in the right moment, that's what we're hoping to do.

"It's a good test for us and we're able and I think we're gonna be ready for the opportunity."

FCC2 has played its role in FC Cincinnati's MLS success as multiple players earned valuable experience under Marshall. The next step in the program's development will be consistent results, which the club is still seeking in 2024.

Ahead of Sunday's game, FCC2 sits in eighth place on a 2-3-1 record with 10 goals scored and 11 goals allowed.

Twenty-two-year-old Amir Daley, a defender, leads FCC2 with three goals. Daley is tied with Penn product Ben Stitz with two assists, too.

"Obviously, we're in a better place compared to the previous two seasons. We've grown. We're maturing now a bit," Marshall said. "You can see some of the guys who have graduated from us and gotten the opportunity to play with the first team, but they're still coming back to see that they're getting minutes. Obviously, we have a clearer direction, identity of where we're going, and we're a more mature group. The reason for that is trying to give our younger players, too, an opportunity to be young pros, and to have some experience but also learning how to create a culture and how we want to play, how we want to react in the culture and how we want to behave in the team culture. So, when they do get to the first-team, you're prepared. That's what we're trying to provide."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati 2 bracing for stiff test from Philly's Cavan Sullivan