You want your athletes to be stone cold killers and competitive. Yes, once in a while it can create issues, and I think probably more these days than before, but locker room dynamics are not office dynamics and a lot of that fire is accepted. And what's more, you want it to be in the athlete. Coaches can help or hinder motivation, but the best players are all self-motivated. And it's not something a player can turn on or off on the field (and usually in life, period), so sometimes you get trash talk and stare downs and whatever. But that's the same thing that makes them practice for hours to perfect something. The key is that this fire and arrogance/confidence leads to an obsession with being the best and winning, and not to entitlement.
In fact, for all we know he was looking down to ensure that he didn't stomp on the guy. He shouldn't have gone out of his way to jump over a defender lying on the ground. But whatever. The game policies itself. The fact that Atlanta didn't retaliate in any way might tell us they weren't bothered..........................
In fact that's exactly what's happening... we know because we have video! The way Cavan Sullivan hopped over the defender 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/sFdDkXuYJh— 🇺🇸USMNTvsHaters (@USMNTvsHaters) September 29, 2024
I kind of saw it that way also. He scored and was pumped up and didn't realize he was about to step on the guy lying down so he jumped and was looking at him to watch where his feet landed. I think he's just getting a lot of scrutiny because of his hype. That kid is maybe embarrassed now but if Cavan does what we think he will he'll be telling that story when he's older.
This is what is missing from this current team. At least half of the players don't have that type of aura.
Funny thing is he was engaged to a woman at my church over 20 years ago -- and the wedding was cancelled the day before it was to happen because she would not sign the prenup (he had a gazillion philanthropic ventures going on in Africa that he wanted to protect).
In some random Friday news: Cavan Sullivan is now a spokesperson for Aéropostale.Aeropostale mentioned that Cavan “embodies the youthful energy and style that Aéropostale is known for.”Additionally, Sullivan commented on the opportunity: “It’s awesome to represent a brand… pic.twitter.com/Vf5ydrMuwH— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) October 4, 2024
It's good for a 15 year old. Really hoping his brothers and family are keeping a watch on his ego. Haven't heard anything to the contrary but .....
While most of their teammates went into the locker room, Quinn and Cavan Sullivan stayed out and had a kick about with Quinn crossing to Cavan.I’m sure we’ll see plenty of this in the future in an actual game.#Doop pic.twitter.com/2klUT1cckv— Todd Lewis (@ItsAToddLife) October 5, 2024
Its just part of the deal with us becoming more and more of a soccer-loving country. The top prospects in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, or wherever get even more attention than what Cavan is getting. There are whole industries that exist to identify, scout, and bring attention to the best teenage basketball, football, etc. prospects in the United States. It's amazing how much attention that high school football players get in Texas. 14-15 year olds at about the same age Cavan is now. Soccer is becoming no different in this country, and that's what we want. Is it good or bad? I don't know. But it is what we should expect.
on now Decision Day Starting XI against @ChicagoFireFCII ⚡️#DOOP | @MLSNEXTPRO pic.twitter.com/d6hL0PhiUD— Philadelphia Union II (@PhilaUnionII) October 6, 2024