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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Whitham makes debut for NJ/NY Gotham</li><li>Becomes youngest soccer player in top division</li><li>Beats Cavan Sullivan's record after just 11 days</li></ul>

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

Major League Soccer

Orlando City

Philadelphia Union

<p>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.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Signing her first professional contract, just celebrated her 14th birthday, and making her <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWSL</a> debut in the same week?!<br><br>We’re so happy to have you, Mak Whitham!! 🖤 <a href="https://t.co/wMtujDO3zj">pic.twitter.com/wMtujDO3zj</a></p>— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/GothamFC/status/1817708951904882963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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.”</p>

WHAT WHITHAM SAID

<p>Her debut made her the youngest ever soccer player, male or female, to play in the United States' top division beating Philadelphia Union's <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-cavan-sullivan-philadelphia-union-freddy-adu-record/blt72a3a1e1893743c7" target="_blank">Cavan Sullivan who had set the record 11 days</a> earlier in the same stadium during the Union's 5-1 win over the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR WHITHAM?

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

On Sunday, McKenna Whitham created history by becoming the youngest player to play for a US football team in the top division.

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