Whitham is youngest player ever in NWSL history
espn.com —
McKenna Whitham, 14, made history as the youngest player to compete in the NWSL, debuting for NJ/NY Gotham FC against Seattle Reign. She entered the match as a substitute during the second half. Whitham previously became the youngest signing in NWSL history and the youngest athlete to sign a deal with Nike. Her contract with Gotham began on January 1, 2025. The NWSL's Under-18 entry mechanism allowed Whitham to join Gotham without going through the draft. She trained with the team in 2024 and scored in a preseason tournament before her official debut.