McKenna Whitham made her mark with a goal against Deportivo Cali in added time at the Women’s Cup in Colombia in February. She found her way through a crowd of defenders and scored, sending Gotham FC to the finals of the preseason tournament. This was the 13-year-old’s first goal in a professional setting, following weeks of training with the NWSL defending champions. Known as Mak, Whitham remained unfazed by the challenge.
In addition to her on-field success, Whitham made headlines for being the youngest women’s soccer player to sign an NIL deal with Nike. This achievement put her in the company of well-established college stars like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and trailblazers Alyssa and Gisele Thompson of Angel City, who signed similar deals in 2022.
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As Whitham continued training with Gotham in preparation for the 2024 season, she impressed in drills alongside her veteran teammates. She was one of three under-18, non-roster invitees to join the team for preseason training, with a strong presence both on and off the pitch.
Having trained with multiple NWSL clubs, Whitham’s potential as a future professional player is evident. While she has not officially signed with a team yet, her performance with Gotham signals her readiness to take the next step in her soccer career.
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With a promising future ahead, Whitham’s journey in the NWSL represents the evolving landscape of the league, where young talents are making a significant impact. As she navigates the challenges of a professional soccer career at a young age, Whitham’s determination and skills set her apart as a player to watch in the coming years.
