Gotham FC signs Mak Whitham as the youngest player in NWSL history

On Friday, NJ/NY Gotham FC announced the signing of McKenna “Mak” Whitham via the NWSL’s U-18 Entry Mechanism. The 13-year-old, who turns 14 tomorrow, is the youngest signing in league history. She beats Major League Soccer's youngest signing, Máximo Carrizo, who signed at 14 years old with New York City FC, by one day.

However, her contract will not begin until January 1 of next season. She did sign a National Team Replacement contract for the Summer Cup. This means Gotham FC could see her debut in the group round's second or final match. It would not be her first overall game with the Bats, for she played in the Women's Cup Colombia during the preseason. She scored the game-winner against Deportivo Cali in the friendly.

Gotham FC signs Mak Whitham, showing commitment to youth

This is a major signing by Gotham FC. This shows they are willing to commit to the youth and take a chance on a highly coveted player who has potential. Whitham's contract is also a reminder to the club that it might be time for an academy. This would have given her highly competitive minutes over the next year, especially if she was playing with the older academy teams.

At the same time, it is questionable whether she will play often in her first few years as a professional. At the very least, she gets time to learn in a professional environment. More importantly, the teenager, via the U-18 Entry Mechanism, will have "provisions around pediatric medical evaluations, facilities and safety assessments and a commitment to establishing long-term development plans for U-18 players entering the league."

Despite the clear intentions to ensure the young players are protected, the signing is a little controversial to some fans. On social media, some believe players should not be signed at such a young age. Some have said it is not a good record to have, while others have said she should not be playing with adult women.

Of course, fans will want to see Whitham enjoy her youth and time as a teenager. However, where was this citicism when the younger players in MLS signed? Where was this criticism when Cavan Sullivan became the youngest debutant in MLS at 14? It is easy to wonder whether there is something more involved with this. 14-year-old boys can play professionally, but not girls?

There is no question that Gotham FC must protect Whitham. The club cannot fail with this, but truthfully, it is not expected that they will.

Moreover, she expressed back in the spring to the Los Angeles Times that she wanted to sign a professional contract before finishing high school. She is homeschooled so she can organize her studies around her training and games. Her parents stressed it is her choice and dream, illuminating they are giving her the choice and freedom to follow her dreams.

Whitham will have plenty of talent to learn from at Gotham. With players like Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, and Lynn Williams, she can pick the brains and learn from the best of the best. She should still have time to be a kid, but this is her dream. She should be allowed to follow it.