{
  "id": 4554589,
  "title": "Cavan Sullivan goes primetime, Messi scores a poker & more from Matchday 23",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/cavan-sullivan-goes-primetime-messi-scores-a-poker-more-from-matchday",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T02:51:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cavan-sullivan-goes-primetime-messi-025100557.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cavan Sullivan's rise to primetime continued on Matchday 23 as the 16-year-old Red Bull New York standout scored the game-winning goal, tying him for the most goal contributions by a player his age or younger in an MLS season. His team, the Union, remains unbeaten since returning from the FIFA World Cup break and now sits just one point behind the Eastern Conference playoff spots.\n\nMeanwhile, Inter Miami CF experienced a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of CF Montréal in Miami, sealing Lionel Messi's lead in the Golden Boot competition with his fourth goal of the match. Despite the defeat, Messi continued to demonstrate his prodigious talent, making it appear as though he was playing a video game against his opponents.\n\nElsewhere, Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati battled to a 4-0 victory, with the victory somewhat marred by two late injury-time goals from the visiting team. Nashville, however, remains in a commanding position atop the league standings with an impressive home record.",
  "summary": "By Charles BoehmWas the rule of four in effect across MLS this weekend?We were treated to four-goal thrillers in Seattle, New Jersey and San Diego. The runaway league leaders pinned four unanswered on...",
  "key_points": [
    "16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scores game-winning goal for Red Bull New York",
    "Lionel Messi leads Golden Boot with 4 goals in 7-1 loss to CF Montréal",
    "Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati draw 4-0, Nashville stays atop league standings"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Cavan Sullivan's primetime emergence boosts the Union's playoff prospects, while Lionel Messi's Golden Boot lead grows and Nashville SC solidifies its top league position with a convincing win.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}