Mak Whitham Bio
Mckenna Rae Whitham, commonly known as Mak Whitham, is an American professional soccer player born on July 27, 2010, in Granite Bay, California. She plays as a forward for Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and is widely recognized as one of the most exciting young talents in American soccer. In 2024, at just 13 years old, Whitham signed a professional contract with Gotham FC, becoming the youngest signing in NWSL history. She went on to make her NWSL regular-season debut in March 2025, also becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a regular-season match.
Whitham represents the United States at the youth international level and has competed for the U-15 and U-17 national teams. Her combination of speed, technical skill, and composure in front of goal has drawn national attention at a remarkably young age. She is also sponsored by Nike, making her one of the youngest athletes ever to sign with the brand.
Early Life and Background
Mckenna Rae Whitham was born and raised in Granite Bay, California, a community in Placer County near Sacramento. She is the daughter of Joni Whitham and Josh Whitham. Her father, Josh Whitham, was an alternate for the United States Ski Team at the 1998 Winter Olympics during his high school years, giving the family a deep athletic background. Growing up in such an environment helped shape Whitham’s competitive drive and love of sport.
Whitham was homeschooled by her mother, Joni, which gave her the flexibility to pursue demanding training schedules from an early age. She began playing club soccer in the ECNL development system, eventually suiting up for MVLA Soccer Club and later Slammers FC HB Køge. Her early talent was evident when she helped lead MVLA to the under-13 national finals in July 2023, where the team finished as runners-up to Slammers FC.
Path to Professional Soccer
Whitham’s rise through the youth soccer ranks was rapid and widely covered. In February 2024, at just 13 years old, she signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike, becoming the youngest athlete to sign with the global sportswear company. That same year, she trained as a non-roster invitee with three NWSL clubs during preseason: Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, and NJ/NY Gotham FC.
During that preseason, she became the youngest player ever to appear for an NWSL team when she played in an exhibition match for Gotham at the Women’s Cup in Colombia, scoring a dramatic last-minute game winner against Deportivo Cali. Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West publicly praised Whitham, saying she was clearly ready to handle the professional level. She also trained with the boys’ Los Angeles FC Academy in MLS Next and played for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of United Women Soccer during 2024.
Mak Whitham Career
Early Career (2024)
In 2024, Mckenna Rae Whitham took her first steps into professional women’s soccer. Still only 13, she joined the Santa Clarita Blue Heat of United Women Soccer and quickly made history as the youngest player in UWS history. She scored the opening goal for Santa Clarita in the national UWS semifinals and later converted her penalty kick in the team’s championship shootout victory in July 2024, a remarkable achievement for a teenager.
Her growing reputation also brought international recognition. In October 2023, she was called into a United States under-15 training camp at age 13. She later starred at the 2024 CONCACAF Girls’ U-15 Championship, scoring three goals in three matches, including goals in the semifinal against Canada and the 3–0 final win over Mexico.
Gotham FC Era (2024–Present)
Gotham FC announced on July 26, 2024, that they had signed Mckenna Rae Whitham to a four-year under-18 contract effective January 1, 2025, making her the youngest signing in NWSL history, just one day before her 14th birthday. A separate short-term agreement allowed her to debut for Gotham two days later. On July 28, 2024, she logged 17 minutes off the bench for Katie Stengel during a 2–1 win over the Washington Spirit in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup group stage, becoming the youngest player in top-division American soccer history. She made two further appearances that year, including as a substitute in the Summer Cup final, which Gotham lost 2–0 to the Kansas City Current.
Whitham made her NWSL regular-season debut on March 15, 2025, entering as a stoppage-time substitute for Esther González in Gotham’s season opener against the Seattle Reign. At 14 years, 8 months old, she surpassed Melanie Barcenas as the youngest player in league history. On September 2, 2025, she made her first professional start, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 win over Alianza FC in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage before being substituted for Katie Stengel. Although she was unused in the playoffs, Gotham went on to win the 2025 NWSL Championship over the Washington Spirit.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mckenna Rae Whitham has already collected several historic milestones before her 15th birthday. She became the youngest athlete to sign with Nike in February 2024, the youngest player in UWS history that same year, and the youngest signing in NWSL history in July 2024. Her last-minute winner against Deportivo Cali in Colombia remains one of the most memorable moments of her early career. She also became the youngest American to score at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, finding the net against Norway at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Mak Whitham Career Highlights
International Highlights
Whitham has been a standout at the youth international level for the United States. In 2024, she scored three goals in three matches at the CONCACAF Girls’ U-15 Championship, helping the U.S. win the title with a 3–0 victory over Mexico in the final. The following year, she represented the United States at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, scoring against Norway to become the youngest American to score in that competition. In 2026 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification, she ranked second on the U.S. team with five goals, continuing her rise as a top young prospect.
Mak Whitham Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Mckenna Rae Whitham comes from a close-knit and athletic family. Her mother, Joni Whitham, homeschooled her and supported her demanding soccer schedule from a young age. Her father, Josh Whitham, was an alternate for the United States Ski Team at the 1998 Winter Olympics during his high school years, giving the family a strong tradition in competitive sport.
2025 Season Performance
Mckenna Rae Whitham’s 2025 season marked her official entry into the NWSL as a regular contributor. She made her league debut on March 15, 2025, in Gotham’s season opener against the Seattle Reign, entering as a late substitute. Although her league minutes were limited, her presence on the roster reflected Gotham’s long-term commitment to her development. She continued to train with the first team throughout the year under the guidance of Gotham’s coaching staff.
Her most significant league moment came on September 2, 2025, when she made her first professional start in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage against Alianza FC, completing 45 minutes in a 2–0 win. While she was not used in the NWSL playoffs, she was part of the squad as Gotham FC lifted the 2025 NWSL Championship trophy after defeating the Washington Spirit.
Looking ahead, Whitham’s four-year under-18 contract runs through 2029, giving Gotham stability and the player valuable time to mature into a full professional role. With her youth international experience, her record-breaking milestones, and her growing minutes at the NWSL level, Mckenna Rae Whitham is widely viewed as one of the brightest young stars in American soccer.