When she stepped onto the pitch for Gotham FC, McKenna ‘Mak’ Whitham broke a record set earlier this year as the youngest person to make their first-division debut in American sports.
Just a few days ago, Whitham became the youngest player to sign an NWSL contract at 13 years, 364 days old when she inked a deal with Gotham.
Then, a day after her 14th birthday, she came on the pitch in the 80th minute at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania for her new club’s NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup game.
Gotham won the match 1-0 and afterwards, Whitham appeared to be caught up in the emotion of the moment.
She broke a record that was only set eleven days ago at the very same stadium when Philadelphia Union 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan made his MLS debut.
14-year-old McKenna ‘Mak’ Whitham made her first appearance with NWSL side Gotham FC
She became the youngest person to ever make her top-flight debut in American sports history
After the match, it looked like Whitham was caught up in the emotions of the moment
Sullivan, who is 10 months older than Whitham, broke a record held by former DC United star Freddy Adu.
‘I am really excited to sign and begin my professional career with Gotham FC,’ Whitham said in a statement after signing the contract.
‘Gotham FC is a great place for me to continue to push myself as a player. I can’t wait to get to work and to continue to grow as a player with the great players, coaches and staff at Gotham FC.’
Whitham was able to bypass the NWSL draft thanks to the NWSL’s under-18 entry mechanism, which allowed her to ink a deal with the New Jersey-based club.
Earlier this year, Whitham signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike – becoming the youngest athlete to ever agree to such a contract with the Oregon-based brand.
The record for the youngest professional in American sports was set in 2023 when Da’vian Kimbrough made his debut for Sacramento Republic FC in the second-division USL Championship at the age of 13 years, five months, and 13 days.
