Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall Lift USMNT Card Values

USMNT youth movement fuels a card market surge

The United States men’s national team used an extended international window to give more minutes to its next wave of talent, and the results were immediate on the field and in the hobby. Wins over Chile, Peru, Mexico and Canada gave head coach Mauricio Pochettino four chances to feature emerging players in meaningful matches, and several of those names saw their card values rise quickly afterward.

Cavan Sullivan had already been drawing attention before the break because of a string of record-breaking sales, but he was not the only player whose market moved. Julian Hall and Justin Ellis also posted strong performances that helped push their recent card prices higher as collectors reacted to the breakout window.

Cavan Sullivan continues his rapid rise

Cavan Sullivan remains one of the biggest names in the current soccer card conversation. The midfielder-forward made more history by becoming the youngest goal-scorer for the USMNT with his goal against Mexico in a 3-0 win, and that milestone added another layer to an already fast-moving market.

One example of that momentum is his Green Wave Auto /99, which last sold for $1,100 on October 6. That was a sharp increase from a $575 sale on September 20. The card had been as low as $95 and was regularly changing hands for about $120 to $150 as recently as early May, showing just how quickly his market has climbed.

Sullivan’s profile is rising beyond the box score as well. He was included on The Guardian’s Next Generation list, which highlights 60 of the top international prospects to watch. With his name now tied to both production and long-term upside, collectors have continued to price him like one of the sport’s most closely watched young talents.

His future club situation remains a talking point, but his move to Manchester City cannot happen until the winter of 2028. For now, his card market appears tied to every new step he takes with the USMNT, and this international window gave him another major boost.

Julian Hall turns a strong window into a market jump

If there was one player who helped himself most during the break, it may have been Julian Hall. The 18-year-old forward delivered three goals and an assist, making a strong case that he belongs in the conversation as a future option behind Folarin Balogun.

Hall’s recent sales reflect that surge in attention. His 2026 Topps Chrome MLS Blue Auto /150 last sold for $149.99 on October 6, up from $31 on September 23. That is the kind of jump that often follows a breakout run, especially when a player earns national team opportunities and backs them up with production.

Related coverage includes USMNT Youth Breakout Pushes Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall and Justin Ellis Card Sales Higher.

Hall entered the break after a strong start to the 2026 season with the New York Red Bulls and carried that form into international play. He scored in the final match before the window opened, then added three more goals with the USMNT. For collectors, that sequence matters because it suggests the performance was not a one-off spike but part of a broader stretch of improved play.

His club situation adds another layer to the story. The New York Red Bulls have struggled this year and currently sit outside the MLS playoff picture. Hall has 10 goals and three assists, but just one of those goals has come since the World Cup break began in late May. Even so, his recent international showing could make him a candidate for a move to Europe after the MLS season ends, and that next step may prove important for both his development and his card prices.

Justin Ellis sees his market move from sleeper to riser

Justin Ellis was the third player to benefit from the USMNT’s youth-heavy window, and his card market has responded in a noticeable way. After a strong showing, Ellis has moved from a relatively quiet spot in the hobby to one that is drawing much more attention from breakers and collectors.

His 2026 Topps Chrome MLS Redemption Auto /50 last sold for $300 on October 3, up from $103.50 on September 20. That increase is significant on its own, but the broader market shift may be even more telling. According to the source, his break spot has gone from being included in “Orlando Others” to a separate slot priced around $30 to $40 per break, and now it is a $100-plus spot. His sales have tripled since the break began.

Ellis also strengthened his case as a future option for the USMNT attack. Like Hall, he has positioned himself as a player who can operate behind Balogun, while also offering enough flexibility to play on the wing. That versatility matters for national team selection, especially as the pool of young attackers continues to expand.

Among the three players discussed, Ellis still appears to have the lowest market floor, but that can also leave room for more growth if the production continues. His ceiling may not be as high as Sullivan’s or Hall’s, yet he has shown enough during this window to move from a speculative name to a player collectors are actively tracking.

Why this international break mattered for collectors

The USMNT’s results during the window were notable not because of the opponents alone, but because of the way the team used the matches to showcase developing talent. Wins over Chile, Peru, Mexico and Canada gave Pochettino a chance to test young players in a setting that still carried real weight, and several of those players responded with strong performances.

For the card market, that kind of exposure can matter as much as a club stat line. National team goals, assists and standout moments often create a new layer of demand, especially when the players involved are already viewed as long-term prospects. Sullivan, Hall and Ellis each fit that pattern in different ways. Sullivan has the highest-profile long-term ceiling and the most dramatic recent milestone. Hall has the clearest case for immediate production and future transfer interest. Ellis has emerged from a lower baseline and may have the most room to climb if he keeps scoring and keeps earning call-ups.

The common thread is opportunity. Pochettino’s commitment to youth gave these players a platform, and they used it to strengthen their cases on the field and in the hobby. As the calendar moves forward, collectors will be watching whether the recent gains hold or whether another strong club run, transfer rumor or national team appearance pushes these markets even higher.

What collectors are watching next

For Sullivan, the focus will remain on every new USMNT appearance and any update that affects his long-term club path. His market has already shown that it can move quickly, and his age and profile make him one of the most closely watched names in soccer cards.

Hall’s next step may be just as important. If he continues to produce for the Red Bulls and remains in the national team picture, his market could keep climbing. A move to Europe would likely add another layer of interest, particularly if it comes after a season that already includes strong MLS numbers and a productive international break.

Ellis is the name to monitor as the lower-priced breakout with room to grow. His recent jump suggests collectors are beginning to treat him differently, and continued scoring could keep that momentum going. If he keeps turning opportunities into goals, his market may continue to separate from where it stood before the break.

The larger takeaway is that the USMNT’s youth pipeline is no longer just a future story. It is already affecting the hobby in real time, with recent sales reflecting how quickly a strong international window can change the conversation around young players.