Michael Sullivan recieves call-up, earns first appearance for Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC in 3-0 win

Photo courtesy Toronto FC

On Saturday, Toronto FC announced that the club has signed former Steel City FC / Pitt and Deer Lakes standout and current Toronto FC II midfielder Michael Sullivan to his second MLS short-term agreement.

Sullivan was brought to the first team for Saturday’s match against Portland Timbers — making his Major League Soccer debut.

Per MLS rules, the short-term agreement allows clubs to sign players on loan from their MLS NEXT Pro affiliate for MLS, U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions League, Canadian Championship, Leagues Cup and exhibition matches.

With Toronto holding a two-goal lead, Sullivan made his debut as an 85^th minute substitute, becoming the eighth player to debut for the Reds this season.

Toronto FC (4W-10L-5T, 17 points) recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Portland Timbers (8W-5L-6T, 30 points) at BMO Field, with goals from Alonso Coello, Tyrese Spicer and an Ian Smith own goal on Saturday evening.

Sullivan, 22, has made 10 appearances for TFC II during the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season, including his club debut against FC Cincinnati 2 on March 9. He has scored two game-winning goals for the Young Reds, the first against Inter Miami CF II on April 10, followed by his second against Crown Legacy FC on May 30. He signed his first professional contract with Toronto FC II on March 6, 2025.

Sullivan was originally selected 39th overall (second round) by TFC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft after spending the past four seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, where he recorded six goals and two assists through 67 appearances (41 starts).

Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: Michael Sullivan prepares for next step with Toronto FC

Sullivan earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Team honours in his sophomore (2022) and junior (2023) campaigns. As a senior, Sullivan made 19 appearances (17 starts) in 2024 and helped the Panthers lift the ACC regular season championship for the first time in program history.

During his college years, Sullivan trained and competed for Steel City FC in NPSL and for it’s academy (previously Arsenal / Pittsburgh Hotspurs) when he was younger.  Sullivan also helped lead Deer Lakes High School boys soccer team to WPIAL title.

Pitt’s Michael Sullivan selected by Toronto FC in MLS Superdraft