McKenna Whitham, 14, became the youngest-ever player to play in the NWSL after coming off the bench in NJ/NY Gotham FC‘s season opener against Seattle Reign.
It isn’t the first time in her short career that Whitham has made history. She became the youngest signing in NWSL history after penning a contract through 2028 with Gotham last year. At the age of 13, she became the youngest women’s soccer player and youngest athlete in any sport to sign a name, image and likeness deal with Nike.
The teen forward, whose guaranteed contract at Gotham began in January this year, came on for Esther González in the 93rd minute with the scores level at 1-1.
It was her fourth appearance for the club since making her professional debut against Washington Spirit in last year’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Her 10-minute cameo against Spirit made her the youngest player to appear for a United States top-flight professional team.
Gotham drew their season opener 1-1 against Reign, after Gabi Portilho‘s opener was canceled out by Emeri Adame in the second-half. The visitors were reduced to 10 players after Mandy Freeman received a red card for a tackle on Nérilia Mondésir
