Tag: McKenna Whitham

McKenna Whitham makes American soccer history with NWSL debut

McKenna Whitham makes American soccer history.

Talk about a busy few days for McKenna Whitham, who over the weekend became the youngest professional player in the history of American soccer.

Whitham signed with Gotham FC on July 26 as a 13-year-old. On July 24, she turned 14-years old and then one day later on Sunday, Whitham came on in the 80th minute of Gotham’s NWSL match.

So in the span of three days, Whitham became the youngest signing in NWSL history and then the youngest ever player to step on the field in a professional league in the United States.

In February, the forward signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

Gotham defeated the Washington Spirit on Sunday 1-0.

 

Whitham is making waves as a member of the U15 United States national team. From California, she played her club soccer for Slammers FC (a developmental arm of Danish club side HB Køge).

The match took place at Subaru Park (Chester, Pennsylvania) and was part of the NWSL x Liga MX cup that features American teams lining up against Mexican clubs.

Two weeks ago at Subaru Park, 14-year old Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union became the youngest player in MLS history.

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Mak Whitham makes Cavan Sullivan look like old man, debuts at barely 14

The forward made her pro debut at 14 years, one day

Cavan Sullivan’s record as the the youngest person to debut in a major North American pro sports league lasted less then two weeks.

On Sunday night, McKenna “Mak” Whitham made her debut for NJ/NY Gotham FC at 14 years, one day.

Whitham came on in the 80th minute against the Washington Spirit in a NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match, which Gotham won 1-0.

The forward is nearly a full year younger than Sullivan, who was 14 years and 293 days when he came on for the Philadelphia Union earlier this month.

On Friday, Gotham announced it had signed Whitham to a pro contract, effective January 1. It also signed the U.S. youth international to a national team replacement contract, which allowed her to be eligible for Sunday’s Summer Cup match.

Whitham has been training with Gotham throughout 2024 after joining the club’s preseason as a non-roster invitee. At 13, the forward scored the winning goal for Gotham against Deportivo Cali in a preseason match in Colombia.

In February, Whitham made headlines by signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike, becoming the youngest athlete in any sport to sign an NIL deal with Nike.

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Just Do It: 13-year old soccer phenom Mak Whitham signs Nike NIL deal

McKenna Whitham signs an NIL deal with Nike.

At an age when many of her friends are hoping to sneak into a PG-13 movie, McKenna ‘Mak’ Whitham is making history by signing a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Nike.

The soccer standout from California is considered a generational talent. The 13-year-old is already a part of the U15 United States National Team. A forward, Whitham has a very bright future and also stars at the club level for Slammers FC (who have a very interesting developmental partnership with Danish club side HB Køge).

On a side note, do PG-13 movies still exist?

The pacey forward is very technical, with impressive control. In the open field, even when opening up her stride, she keeps the ball close to her feet.

She is a strong finisher with a high work rate.

The NIL deal sees Whitham become the youngest-ever athlete to sign with Nike.

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Whitham is as impressive of a high school prospect as has emerged from the youth soccer ranks in the United States in probably two decades.