Gotham FC Signs Youngest Ever Player in NWSL

Taylor Vincent
Taylor Vincent, Resident NWSL ExpertJuly 26, 2024
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#nwsl #mckenna whitman #gotham fc
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Ahead of her 14th birthday tomorrow, McKenna “Mak” Whitman has signed a contract with NJ/NY Gotham FC via the U-18 Entry Mechanism. The U.S. Youth National Team forward becomes the youngest-ever contracted player in the NWSL, and Gotham’s first U-18 player. Whitman is signed through the 2028 season, and her guaranteed contract will be effective starting January 1st, 2025, although Gotham additionally signed her as a national team replacement player (NTRP) during the current international window. 

Whitman has been training with Gotham since preseason and was a part of the Gotham roster which won The Women’s Cup Colombia during preseason and scored the game-winning goal to send Gotham to the final. More recently, Whitman was named to the 18 player roster which will represent the USA at the U-15 Concacaf Championship in Costa Rica in August. 

“I am really excited to sign and begin my professional career with Gotham FC,” said Whitham in a team release. “Gotham FC is a great place for me to continue to push myself as a player. I can’t wait to get to work and to continue to grow as a player with the great players, coaches and staff at Gotham FC.”

An interesting aside, Whitman will earn an NWSL year of service for her time as an NTRP, and following the conclusion of her contract in 2028, she will have 5 years of service under her belt, making her an unrestricted free agent under the current NWSL collective bargaining agreement—the current CBA expires December 31st, 2026. 

Previously, the youngest player signed to a contract in the NWSL was Kansas City Current forward Alex Pfieffer at 15. Even with 14 close in sight, there are potential issues that come up with a player of such a young age, including state labor laws as Gotham beat writer Jenna Tonelli highlighted below. 

Sunday July 28th Gotham FC takes on the Washington Spirit in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup, and Whitman could potentially make her professional debut.

 

More on the NWSL’s U-18 Players:

https://www.spotrac.com/nwsl/contracts/u18 

 


#nwsl #mckenna whitman #gotham fc
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