The Mak Whitham signing: what is and is not worth criticizing

Why concerns might not be valid

Gotham FC has plenty riding on this signing and they know how important it is that things go off with as few problems as possible. They knew they would receive criticism for bringing her on their preseason trip to Colombia, there would be pushback when they made her the youngest signing in league history, and there would be criticism when she made her debut against Washington last Sunday.

The club knew all of that and they did not waver. They stuck with their plan because they have faith in not just their process, but in Whitham as well. If they are going to make this work, then they have to stick with what they believe is best for both the player and the club. Early signs suggest that is what they are going to do.

The Bats also have their reputation on the line with this player. Not just in the context of making sure a 14-year-old is kept safe and developed correctly, but also given the history of this club and the history of General Manager Yael Averbuch West. The team has come on leaps since their days as Sky Blue FC where one could barely consider them a professional club given their incredibly poor off-the-field running of the team as well as their ineptitude on it.

Things have clearly improved since then as the team has done work to distance themselves from those dark days. Between cleaning house in the front office to rebranding as Gotham FC, the NJ/NY side has put in the work and reaped the rewards. Between a championship in 2023 to the biggest and most impressive free agency splash seen in NWSL history, it is clear that this team has put those Sky Blue days behind them.

This was further strengthened by the club signing both Sinead Farrelly and Mana Shim in 2023. Both of these players were the faces of the victims of the NWSL's abuse scandal that had come to light in 2021. Both of these players had been out of soccer for an extended period with Farrelly having not played since 2015 and Shim since 2019.

It is very clearly a testament to the positive and safe environment that Gotham FC had created that both of these players were not only willing to come back and be a part of it but also extend their stays with the team for longer than what had initially been agreed upon.

Then there is Averbuch West who not only has a good reputation as a general manager, but as a player as well. As a player, she was crucial in the creation of the National Women's Soccer League Players Association and would go on to serve as the president and executive director of the organization. It's not farfetched to say that Averbuch's work early on in the PA's lifecycle helped pave the way for the creation of the collective bargaining agreement that is in place today.

It's very clear that Averbuch West has a player-first mindset when it comes to her approach to roster and club building. This was said as much by her when asked about her offseason work in an article from Equalizer Soccer back in January. She said, “One of our success metrics is what percentage of players would recommend Gotham to friends in the league.”

This is a category that Gotham FC scores very high in given their ability to attract talent from not just other NWSL teams but internationally as well. The growth, development, and well-being of Whitham is Averbuch West's biggest challenge to date as the Gotham GM. Early indications suggest that everything is or will be in place to ensure the young player can thrive and grow as a player and a person during her time with the Bats.

There is then the strong locker room culture that's been built and cultivated by both the players and coaching staff at Gotham. Obviously, everyone there understands the importance of Whitham's safety and well-being. It is not just because she is 14, but also given their experiences with Farrelly and Shim.

Players like Michelle Betos, Lynn Williams, Midge Purce, Mandy Freeman, and Tierna Davidson are all players who can not just be a mentor, but a friend to Whitham and help her on her journey as a professional player. Head coach Amorós has not only helped cultivate a strong locker room culture where players can make mistakes and learn from them but also has a great record of player development and improvement.

Nighswonger and Sheehan's growth was mentioned earlier, but then there are players like Nealy Martin and Ella Stevens They have found a new level since joining Gotham FC that they were not able to achieve at their previous clubs. This is not just down to their overall growth and development, but also putting them in a position on the field where they can optimize their playstyles and use their strengths to help themselves succeed as individuals.

Amorós has also shown a propensity to rotate his squad as much as possible. This should help Whitham not only get the minutes necessary to improve as a player but also ease any potential burden she may feel to perform. There are plenty of other players who can step in and make sure she doesn't feel like the success of this team is riding on her.

In conclusion

For as much as the well-being of Whitham should be the main priority, her growth as a player is not far behind. It is not unfair to say that what Gotham FC has built in the past few years sets Whitham up for long-term success. And that's the key phrase, long-term. It is not crazy to say that she will not be a key player for four or five years.

There should be zero rush in getting her into the starting lineup. This team is not only built to win now, but in the future as well. Whitham should not be seen as some sort of savior like some tend to with other young phenoms. This is a player who will be given every opportunity to grow and succeed at whatever pace she and the team see fit.

There are obvious pitfalls and concerns surrounding this player. It is natural to worry about the well-being of a 14-year-old in a grown-up, adult environment, especially one with a recent history of NWSL. That being said though, the situations at each team are different from one another. And given what was seen in recent times from Gotham FC, it is more than fair to give them the benefit of the doubt. One can think they are able to keep this player safe and help her grow into the best professional that she can be.