The rise of a new soccer star: Who is US teenager Cavan Sullivan?

By Ben Church, CNN (CNN) -Americans often say they need to see a superstar to fall in love with a sport, and for years,soccerhas come up just short in the US. We had the likes of Clint Dempsey in the past, a clinical Premier League player but not quite the level of a superstar.

Next up was Christian Pulisic, dubbed Captain America, who is arguably a bit better but struggles with consistency. But now, following those halcyon World Cup days on home soil, the US has a new star breaking through: 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan.

The Philly native has long been on the radar of soccer lovers, ever since he made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut for Philadelphia Union at just 14. A record deal at his hometown club followed, as was a reported agreement with Manchester City to sign with the Premier League giant when he's 18.

Now, just one year away from that potential move, he's making waves at the senior level and is now starring for the US Men's National Team (USMNT). It looks as though all that potential is now starting to be realized.

An electric talent Expectation has followed Sullivan since he was even younger than he is now, and it's not hard to see why. The attacking midfielder, who can play centrally or drift in from the right flank, is box office when he's in possession.

On a basic level, his foundations are elite. The ball sticks to his foot in possession and he has that explosive movement that terrifies defenders.

He's so much sharper than most, able to dart in any direction to evade danger. But it's his creativity that sets him apart from other youngsters coming through the ranks.

When the ball is at his feet, you get the sense that anything can happen. There are trainingvideosonline of Sullivan producing skills and tricks that don't even have names yet.

It's a kind of talent that sells tickets and has caught the attention of USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino as he starts a new World Cup cycle. The teenager, who has excelled for The Union by scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists in MLS this season, was called up to his first national camp this month and made his international debut in the US' 4-1 thrashing of Peru on Saturday.