Mckenna Rae Whitham Bio
Mckenna Rae Whitham (born July 27, 2010) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She signed with Gotham the day before turning 14 in July 2024 and made her regular-season debut in March 2025, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history. She is a youth international for the United States.
Early Life and Background
Mckenna Whitham grew up in Granite Bay, California, as the daughter of Joni and Josh Whitham. Her father was an alternate for the United States Ski Team at the 1998 Winter Olympics during his high school years. Mckenna was homeschooled by her mother, which allowed her to focus on her soccer training. She played club soccer for MVLA Soccer Club and Slammers FC HB Køge, leading MVLA to the under-13 national finals in July 2023, where they finished as runners-up to Slammers. In February 2024, she signed a name, image, and likeness contract with Nike at the age of 13, becoming the youngest athlete to sign with the company.
Path to Soccer
At just 13 years old, Mckenna Whitham trained as a non-roster invitee with several National Women’s Soccer League clubs, including Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, and NJ/NY Gotham FC during the 2024 preseason. She became the youngest person to play for an NWSL team when she appeared in an exhibition game for Gotham at the Women’s Cup in Colombia, scoring a last-minute game-winning goal against Deportivo Cali. Gotham’s general manager, Yael Averbuch West, praised her readiness to excel at the professional level. Throughout 2024, she trained with Gotham and also participated in training sessions with the boys’ Los Angeles FC Academy and Santa Clarita Blue Heat of United Women’s Soccer (UWS). Mckenna made history as the youngest player in UWS at 13, scoring the opening goal for Santa Clarita in the national UWS semifinals and successfully converting her penalty kick in the championship shootout victory.
Mckenna Rae Whitham Career
Early Career (2024)
Mckenna Whitham signed with Gotham FC on July 26, 2024, just one day before her 14th birthday, making her the youngest signing in NWSL history. She reached a short-term deal that allowed her to debut for Gotham just two days later. In her debut, she came on as a substitute for Katie Stengel and played 17 minutes during a 2–1 victory against the Washington Spirit in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage, marking her as the youngest player in top-division American soccer history. She made two additional appearances in 2024, including a substitute appearance in the Summer Cup final.
Breakthrough (2025)
Mckenna made her NWSL regular-season debut on March 15, 2025, as a stoppage-time substitute for Esther González in the season opener against the Seattle Reign. This debut made her the youngest player in league history at 14 years and 8 months, surpassing Melanie Barcenas. On September 2, 2025, she made her first professional start, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 victory over Alianza in the 2025–26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mckenna Whitham’s signature work includes her debut with Gotham FC, where she became the youngest player in NWSL history and top-division American soccer history. She has also represented the United States in youth international competitions, showcasing her talent on a larger stage.
Mckenna Rae Whitham Award Nominations
Mckenna Whitham has not yet received any formal award nominations, given her early career stage. However, her achievements as a young athlete have garnered significant attention in the soccer community.
Mckenna Rae Whitham Awards Won
As of now, Mckenna Whitham has not won any official awards. Her accomplishments at a young age, including her debut records, indicate a promising future in the sport.
Mckenna Rae Whitham Family
Mckenna Whitham is the daughter of Joni and Josh Whitham. Her family has been supportive of her soccer career from a young age, providing her with the resources and encouragement needed to excel in the sport.
Personal Life
Mckenna Whitham is currently focused on her soccer career and has not publicly disclosed any personal relationships. As she continues to develop as a player, her personal life remains private, allowing her to concentrate on her athletic pursuits.