McKenna Whitham smashes Cavan Sullivan record after featuring for NJ/NY Gotham just days after her 14th birthday

Whitham celebrated her 14th birthday on Saturday, June 28, and then received a special gift a day later as she was brought on as a substitute in the 80th minute as NJ/NY Gotham looked to hold their one-goal lead against Washington Spirit at Subaru Park. NJ/NY signed Whitham earlier in the week as a national team replacement player, a rule the NWSL uses to fill rosters during major tournaments.

Speaking earlier in the week following her signing, Whitham said: “I processed it, and it’s still new to me. But, I mean, I’m not going to be cocky about it. I’m going to stay humble, and I’m still going to keep developing. My goal is to be a top player in the NWSL, and I know that Gotham will help me become that player.”

Her debut made her the youngest ever soccer player, male or female, to play in the United States' top division beating Philadelphia Union's Cavan Sullivan who had set the record 11 days earlier in the same stadium during the Union's 5-1 win over the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.

The 14-year-old will continue playing for NJ/NY in the Summer Cup but will not be permitted to make her NWSL debut until her professional contract kicks in at the start of 2025.