Youngest Player Ever in NWSL History: 14-Year-Old McKenna Whitham Substitutes for Gotham
Young Gun McKenna Whitham Stuns NWSL:
In a historic event that's got the soccer world buzzing, 14-year-old prodigy McKenna Whitham broke records when she stepped onto the pitch, becoming the youngest player to ever appear in an NWSL regular season match. Her incredible debut came during Gotham FC's draw against Seattle Reign, a game that saw teammate Mandy Freeman receive a straight red card, leaving the team short-handed.
Her entry into the game, in the 93rd minute, was a last-ditch effort by head coach Juan Carlos Amorós. With a sharp tactical whisper, Amorós urged Whitham, "Enjoy the ride and win the game," before sending her on her way.
Post-match, an elated Amorós praised the youngster, stating, "She's a special player... She deserves to be in this league... It's the first of many I'm sure." Whitham, a Granite Bay native, could barely contain her excitement, taking to her X account to post, "Thank you for the opportunity @GothamFC and @NWSL...I am excited for this year and it's a dream come true!"
Whitham's achievements don't stop at breaking records. At 13, she became the youngest player to ever sign an NWSL contract and the youngest athlete to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike. Her FIRST foray onto a top-division American soccer field came back in 2024, where she set the record for the youngest player to compete in such a game.
Summer 2024 saw Whitham inking a four-year deal with Gotham FC, thanks to the NWSL's U-18 Entry Mechanism. Portland's Olivia Moultrie, who notoriously filed a lawsuit against the NWSL to lower the league's minimum age requirement, previously held this record.
McKenna Whitham's story is just getting started, and it's safe to say that we're all eager to witness her phenomenal talent take the soccer world by storm. Keep your eyes peeled, because we're certain this won't be the last amazing feat this young starachieves!⚽️⚡️💣🌟🌐🏆🏃♀️💃🏃♂️💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 xD xD
- In the upcoming preseason, fans can expect McKenna Whitham, the youngest athlete to ever sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike, to enjoy her time on the field.
- At the tender age of 14, McKenna Whitham earned the title of the youngest player to ever appear in an NWSL regular season match, leaving many football enthusiasts in awe.
- Despite being the youngest player to ever sign an NWSL contract, McKenna Whitham's achievements extend beyond sport, with records broken in various other sports arenas as well.
