McKenna Whitham is now the youngest professional soccer player in the United States. She made her debut on Sunday, only a day after her 14th birthday. She plays for the NJ/NY Gotham FC. Her team won the match 1-0 against Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League.
She made her debut in the 80th minute at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. She already signed a deal with Gotham as a national team replacement player, a strategy used by the NWSL to have substitutes during major league tournaments. McKenna Whitman’s contract is set to start on 1st January 2025 till the end of 2028. Her debut comes barely a month after Cavan Sullivan broke the record as the youngest player to play in the senior Major League Soccer.
McKenna Whitham Interview With ESPN
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This is what McKenna Whitman had to say in an exclusive interview with ESPN about her achievement,
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.
Yael Averbuch West, the Gothan FC general manager told ESPN the club was measured in its approach to developing a 13-year-old in a mix with other professional players with whom six are on the USWNT’s Olympic roster.
West added that McKenna Whitham,
The on-the-field is the easiest part of this, I think, and the quickest for us to kind of evaluate and know how to support her. But we’ve undertaken a really robust process in terms of making sure that this is the right thing in her life, socially, mentally and every in every possible way.
McKenna Whitham will be moving to New York soon with her family as they are currently residing in California to be closer to her new team.
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Cavan Sullivan’s World Record
At the age of 14 years, 293 days old, Cavan Sullivan had become the youngest player to play in the senior Major League Soccer. He broke a two-decade record that was set by Freddy Adu in 2005. Adu was 14 years, 306 days old when he first played for D.C. United. Sullivan made his debut for his team, Philadelphia Union, in their match against the New England Revolution in the 85th minute. He joined the game late in the second half, where his team had a 5-1 win.
He not only broke a two-decade MLS record but also had the privilege of signing a very huge contract on May 9th. Reports have it that his contract is the largest in MLS since he will have the chance to transfer from Philadelphia Union to Manchester City when he turns 18.
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Cavan Sullivan Interview with ESPN
Even though his team, Philadelphia, could not confirm Sullivan’s move to Man City, this is what the young man had to say on that matter and his deal with his team.
I’ve always wanted to start my career here because this is my home and I’ve always been on the sidelines of Quinn’s games and I’ve been in and around the facility when my uncle worked here. So, I’ve always been inspired and to play in front of this culture, and these fans are special.
But I also think the collaboration between the Union and the City Group was — I think that did it for me. I always watch Man City. They’re like every kid’s dream team. For [Philadelphia and Man City] to come together and agree on something — I sat with my family and my agents and we decided that it was the best plan.
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Freddy Adu Congratulates Sullivan For Breaking His Record
Adu, who is a former USMNT midfielder through his official X account, wrote,
Big congrats to Cavan Sullivan for his record-breaking debut today. That’s a hard record to break and the kid did it. Well done and good luck my man. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
McKenna Whitham has broken Sullivan’s record only after a few days. We wish her the very best in her career.
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