McKenna Whitham, a 14-year-old prodigy from Granite Bay, California, has made history as the youngest player to appear in a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular-season match. The forward took to the pitch for NJ/NY Gotham FC in their 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign on the opening day of the 2025 season.
Whitham was substituted on in the 93rd minute, replacing veteran Spanish forward Esther González. Gotham FC was down to 10 players after Mandy Freeman received a straight red card just minutes earlier. Despite the challenging situation, head coach Juan Carlos Amorós trusted Whitham to help maintain pressure on the opposition during the match’s closing moments.
Before sending her onto the field, Amorós gave Whitham some last-minute advice, encouraging her to embrace the moment. “Have fun and win the game,” he said, emphasizing that her selection was based on merit, not just the pursuit of records. After the match, he spoke highly of her potential and dedication.
That’s what she loves doing. She’s a very special young player Amorós remarked. “She came on not to break records but because she deserved it. She’s shown she belongs at this level and brings something valuable to the team. This is just the beginning for her.”
Whitham’s remarkable journey began when she became the youngest player to sign an NWSL contract at just 13 years old, joining Gotham FC through the league’s U-18 Entry Mechanism in July 2024. That same year, she became the youngest athlete to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike and made her debut in a top-division American soccer game during a preseason match.
Her record-breaking debut surpasses the previous mark set by Olivia Moultrie of Portland Thorns, whose successful lawsuit against the NWSL lowered the league’s minimum age requirement and paved the way for younger talents like Whitham.
McKenna Whitham’s debut signals the arrival of a new era in women’s soccer, and her journey is only just beginning.
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