Akinmboni now the 6th youngest player to debut in MLS as Sullivan break's Adu's 20yo record 

United States U19 international of Nigerian descent Matai Akinmboni is now the sixth youngest player to debut in United States' Major League Soccer, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

On Thursday morning, Philadelphia Union wonderkid Cavan Sullivan set a new record as the youngest-ever player to feature in a Major League Soccer match after replacing Tai Baribo in a 5-1 home win over the New England Revolution at Subaru Park.

Aged 14 yeas and 293 days, Sullivan surpassed Freddy Adu's record by thirteen days. 

Adu played his first game for D.C. United in April 2004, when he was 14 years and 306 days old.

After Cavan Sullivan's record breaking debut for Philadelphia Union, Akinmboni fell one spot in the rankings of youngest-ever debutants, with Ivory Coast-born striker Axel Kei replacing him as the fifth youngest player in MLS history. 

Akinmboni, aged 15 years and 328 days, made his first appearance in MLS for DC United on September 10, 2022, during a 0-0 game against Real Salt Lake. 

At that time, the American-Nigerian-Ghanaian defender was the league's third youngest player, after Freddy Adu and Alphonso Davies.

Since making his Major League Soccer debut, the tri-national player has appeared in twelve matches in the American top-flight, seven of which he started. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: dcunited.com

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