CHESTER — It doesn’t take much cajoling to get Quinn Sullivan to come up with a date. Sullivan’s ACL tore on Sept. 27 against D.C. United. He had surgery a week later. And nine months on from that surgery plops the Philadelphia Union midfielder squarely into the six-week break that MLS will ta ke for the World Cup this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In his mind, Sullivan has done the math, trying to clip days off the standard nine-month recovery here and there. Eight was once the goal, just a way to defy the hand he’s been dealt. His ambition allows room for self-forgiveness, but it’s zeroing in July 22 when the Red Bulls visit Subaru Park to resume the MLS schedule, as the date Sullivan hopes to put on a Union jersey again. Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan scores a goal during the second half of an U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Nashville on Sept. 16. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) “Initially I was like, I’m going to be back in eight months,” Sullivan said recently. “I’m setting myself eight months: That’s one month before what the standard is. And as the process has gone on, I’m ahead of schedule already, but I’m still saying nine months is what we’re shooting for. When you get in that last month, you’re basically shooting at strength numbers, from what I’ve talked about with Brad (Papson, Union athletic trainer). “So if it happens earlier, it happens earlier. … If it happens a little after, I’ll definitely be frustrated and Brad will have to deal with my attitude, but we’ve built a great relationship already in the past three months. So it’s all right, and we’ll roll with the punches.” The ACL tear has taken plenty from Sullivan. He missed a chance to be on the field to celebrate the Supporters’ Shield that his two goals and nine assists in 28 games (24 starts) helped the Union collect in 2025. He was helpless to aid the Union in a loss in the Eastern Conference semifinals to New York City FC on home ground. The timing for those was awful luck. But on the other side, the hazy end of eight or nine months on the sidelines will fall in a period where the Union will enjoy essentially a second preseason. It’ll be the end of a long recovery road to which the 21-year-old has taken a studious approach. Sullivan was in the midst of a second straight impact season with the Union. After five goals and 11 assists in 2024, his numbers dipped somewhat in 2025. But he earned a call-up to the U.S. national team for the Gold Cup, showing his resilience and defiance a year after he was on the outside looking in at the Under-23 squad that the U.S. sent to the Paris Olympics. The knee injury at Audi Field in September brought a halt to his on-field contributions. But he expressed gratitude for the way in which the Union kept him involved in the stretch run of a trophy-winning season, including as the pregame drum-striker for the playoff opener in October against the Chicago Fire that drew a rapturous welcome from fans. Teammates in the locker room have kept him involved as much as possible. And he’s had members of the national team check in on him consistently, including when the U.S. visited Chester during the November international window for a friendly. There’s a whiplash to the way that Sullivan talks about those extremes. “Winning was awesome, and I definitely felt like I played a big part in that,” he said. “So a little rewarding. But it also sucks not to be a part of the win as well. And then to watch us lose in the playoffs also didn’t feel great. “So there’s a little bit of that, you feel like you’re missing part of it, the Supporters’ Shield celebrations. My teammates have been amazing, making me feel part of the team and checking in. But when you’re not on the field, you definitely miss that little competitive edge and the touch.” Sullivan’s support system starts at home, and not just with most heralded of his younger brothers in Cavan, a constant presence in the Union locker room for him. Younger brother Ronan went through an ACL tear, but he’s bounced back to return to playing first with FC Delco, then the Union Academy on the way to a scholarship at Saint Joseph’s. Former Union teammate Isaiah LeFlore, who tore his ACL in the 2024 preseason to become improbably the first active player in club history to suffer that common soccer injury, was a resource for Sullivan last year while they were teammates. And American international Aidan Morris, who tore his ACL in 2021 with Columbus, reached out to be a sounding board. “The ACL community, it’s weird,” Sullivan said. “But everyone kind of looks out for each other. Isaiah went through it here, so I talked to him. Everyone’s been super supportive and ‘if I need anything, please feel free to reach out and let me know.’ ” Sullivan has filled the time by picking up hobbies. He’s getting more into social media content creation, in part for a soccer-focused lifestyle brand that he and his girlfriend, Katie Oliver, are launching. He’s still studying for his college degree. He’s taken up making his own matcha for the handful of fans in the Union locker room. His remove from the group in daily training presents an opportunity in the leadership department. The Union are undergoing a delayed generational change, with the offseason hollowing out its roster. Gone are the middle tier of veterans in their late 20s and early 30s like Tai Baribo, Jakob Glesnes, Mikael Uhre and Kai Wagner. In Year 6 of his career, no matter that fact that he only turns 22 in March, Sullivan will be called upon to provide leadership. He embraces that fact, though he understands it looks a little different with him not on the training field just yet, though it means he can start by sharing some wisdom that comes from a slightly different place, knowing that he’s not vying for minutes with those he’s advising. “We definitely have our leaders, and I like to be a part of that,” he said. “Being injured allows me to play a bigger role in that leadership, because I’m not actively fighting for a spot or trying to prove something. I’m trying to prove something to myself and get back, obviously, but in terms of on the pitch, so I’m able to take that role and whatever people need, they can come to me, ask questions. Talking to the new guys and trying to help them get acclimated to everything. “So I’m definitely trying to take a bigger leadership role. It’s also a different one. It’s definitely a learning process, but I think I’m getting there.” ...read more read less