With 10 minutes remaining in Sunday’s NWSL match between NY/NL Gotham and Washington Spirit, McKenna “Mak” Whitham made American soccer history.
The 14-year-old, who signed with Gotham last week just before her birthday, became the youngest player to ever play in a U.S. top-flight soccer league. The forward entered the field in the 80th minute with Gotham leading 1-0 and played until the end of the Summer Cup match. Gotham won by the same score..
Making history at 14 years old
The youngest player in NWSL history takes the field for her professional debut: Congratulations, Mak Whitham! image.twitter.com/wKdf1ATQrh
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 28, 2024
“She’s been training with us as a group and working hard, just like any of us,” Gotham goalkeeper Cassie Miller said. He told Athletic After the match. “I think the excitement I feel for her is incredible. I remember when I was 14 and I was able to do this. Hats off to her because I definitely wasn’t ready.”
Another 14-year-old in professional football
Whitham is the second 14-year-old to debut for a U.S. professional soccer team this month. Cavan Sullivan signed with MLS side Philadelphia Union in May at age 14 and was previously the youngest player to make his debut for a U.S. professional soccer team on July 17. He turns 15 in September and is 10 months older than Whitham.
Whitham’s appearance was just the latest milestone for the rising football star. He signed with Gotham on Friday. He turned 14 on Saturday. A day later he made his professional debut. He already has An image and likeness agreement with Nike who signed in February as the youngest player to sign with the sneaker giant in any sport.
“I processed it and it’s still new to me,” Whitham said. ESPN after signing with Gotham. “But, I mean, I’m not going to be cocky about it. I’m going to stay humble and continue to develop. My goal is to be a standout player in the NWSL and I know Gotham is going to help me become that player.”
Whitham, a member of the U.S. U-15 junior national team, is under a four-year contract with Gotham, running from 2025 through 2028. She is available to play now thanks to a national team replacement player contract that allows her to join the team during international competition. Six Gotham players, including Rose LaVelle and Crystal Dunn, are playing for the U.S. women’s national team at the Paris Olympics. A seventh, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, is playing for Germany.
The NWSL is taking a break from the regular season during the Olympics. But NWSL teams and those in Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil are playing in The inaugural Summer Cupin which Withman is eligible to compete.
Whitham, a Southern California native, has been training with Gotham all year. She will move with her family from California to play for the Harrison, New Jersey-based team. By Jenna Tonelli of The EqualizerGotham had to acquire a special permit to comply with a New Jersey labor law that prohibits minors 14 or younger from working after 7 p.m. without exception.