14-Year-Old McKenna Whitham makes history as youngest NWSL player
Alona Yadav | Mar 17, 2025, 22:29 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Fourteen-year-old McKenna Whitham became the youngest player ever in an NWSL regular-season match, debuting for NJ/NY Gotham FC. Subbing in during a 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign, Whitham entered amid challenging conditions. She previously made history as the youngest NWSL signing and the youngest to secure an NIL contract with Nike.
McKenna Whitham etched her name in the record books on Saturday when the 14-year-old NJ/NY Gotham FC player became the youngest athlete ever to appear in a National Women's Soccer League regular season match.
The teenage forward made her historic debut by replacing Spanish veteran Esther González in the 93rd minute of Gotham's season-opening 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign. Whitham entered the pitch under challenging circumstances, with her team down to 10 players following teammate Mandy Freeman's straight red card moments earlier.
Before sending the young player onto the field, Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós offered some simple advice: "Have fun and win the game."
"That's what she loves doing. She's a very special young player," Amorós explained after the match. "She, again, is a player that came on not because you know I get about her beating the record but because she deserves to be playing. She deserves to be in contention to be in this league. Even if at that age."
The coach added, "I thought she could help the team and she helped us to keep the pressure up... It's the first of many I'm sure."
Whitham expressed her gratitude on social media platform X following her milestone appearance: "Thank you for the opportunity @GothamFC and @NWSL...I am excited for this year and it's a dream come true!"
This latest achievement adds to an impressive list of records for the Granite Bay, California, native. Whitham previously made history as the youngest signing in NWSL history at age 13, the youngest athlete to secure a name, image and likeness (NIL) contract with Nike, and the youngest player to appear in a top-division American soccer game during a preseason match in July 2024.
Gotham FC signed the U.S. Youth player to a four-year contract in July 2024 through the NWSL's U-18 Entry Mechanism. The path for young players like Whitham was cleared by Portland's Olivia Moultrie, whose lawsuit against the NWSL resulted in lowering the league's minimum age requirement and established protocol for signing players under 18 years old.
The teenage forward made her historic debut by replacing Spanish veteran Esther González in the 93rd minute of Gotham's season-opening 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign. Whitham entered the pitch under challenging circumstances, with her team down to 10 players following teammate Mandy Freeman's straight red card moments earlier.
Before sending the young player onto the field, Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós offered some simple advice: "Have fun and win the game."
"That's what she loves doing. She's a very special young player," Amorós explained after the match. "She, again, is a player that came on not because you know I get about her beating the record but because she deserves to be playing. She deserves to be in contention to be in this league. Even if at that age."
The coach added, "I thought she could help the team and she helped us to keep the pressure up... It's the first of many I'm sure."
Whitham expressed her gratitude on social media platform X following her milestone appearance: "Thank you for the opportunity @GothamFC and @NWSL...I am excited for this year and it's a dream come true!"
This latest achievement adds to an impressive list of records for the Granite Bay, California, native. Whitham previously made history as the youngest signing in NWSL history at age 13, the youngest athlete to secure a name, image and likeness (NIL) contract with Nike, and the youngest player to appear in a top-division American soccer game during a preseason match in July 2024.
Gotham FC signed the U.S. Youth player to a four-year contract in July 2024 through the NWSL's U-18 Entry Mechanism. The path for young players like Whitham was cleared by Portland's Olivia Moultrie, whose lawsuit against the NWSL resulted in lowering the league's minimum age requirement and established protocol for signing players under 18 years old.