McKenna "Mak" Whitham made history as the youngest player to compete in a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) regular-season match at just 14 years old. She debuted as a stoppage-time substitute for NJ/NY Gotham FC in their 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign. Whitham had already made waves in the soccer world by signing a Nike NIL deal at 13 and later securing a contract with Gotham FC, set to begin in 2025.
In her debut, Whitham received encouragement from coach Juan Carlos Amorós to "enjoy the game and just be you." The match saw Gotham initially take the lead before Seattle equalized, with Gotham finishing with ten players due to a red card. Whitham’s record-breaking appearance highlights the growing opportunities for young talent in professional women's soccer.
