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NBC News
21-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC News
Trophies, board games and apple cider: Inside the life of the NWSL's youngest player
Soccer Gotham FC's Mak Whitham signed a deal to play in the professional women's soccer league last year, just a few weeks shy of her 14th birthday. June 21, 2025, 7:05 AM EDT By Doha Madani When Gotham FC won the first CONCACAF W Champions Cup in Mexico in May, celebrations included cheers, foaming sprays of beer — and at least one bottle of apple cider. Mckenna 'Mak' Whitham, 14, is the youngest player in National Women's Soccer League history. As she is still seven years away from legally being able to drink, her teammates — all but one in their 20s and 30s — showed support with that bottle ready for her to pop in the locker room. It's just one of the ways Whitham says she's been welcomed into the league. During that week in Mexico, she bonded with some of her teammates through playing board games and craft projects in their free time. 'I feel like the experience has been really good,' Mak told NBC News. 'I don't just fit in on the field, but I also fit in off the field.' Mak signed a deal to play with Gotham last year, just a few weeks shy of her 14th birthday. She made her debut in March during stoppage time against the Seattle Reign. It was a milestone made possible by a wave of teenage players joining the country's top women's league since 2022. In just a few months of playing with Gotham, Mak says she's grown in her abilities and feels much more confident. "I just see the difference in myself," she said. "And I feel like I truly belong here." This dream has been years in the making. Mak recalls playing with a little blue ball her parents got her when she was 4. They noticed that she had the ball at her feet 'all the time' and decided that year to sign her up for a soccer camp. 'I was pretty good for a 4-year-old,' Mak joked. 'Ever since that day, I've just always loved the game. And it's been my passion.' Her enthusiasm for the sport was obvious to her parents early on. "She loved it so much that by age 8, she wanted to go every day," her father, Josh Whitham, said. Growing up outside Sacramento, California, Mak's career before the NWSL was filled with opportunities at prestigious clubs. At one point she played with Slammers FC, whose alumni include U.S. Women's National Team members Christen Press and Jenna Nighswonger. Mak was also able to train with the SoCal Youth, an MLS-affiliated youth team for Los Angeles FC. Playing alongside the power and pace of the boys' team was some of the best preparation she says she had before joining Gotham. That's not to mention her time with the U.S. youth programs, offering a standout moment at the Under-15 CONCACAF Girls' tournament when she scored in the final against Mexico. Mak had multiple NWSL teams interested in adding her to their roster. She spent time training with the Kansas City Current, this season's leading team, and the Washington Spirit, who beat Gotham in last season's semifinal game. But Mak was swayed by Gotham's commitment to her development. It was the team's "level of understanding on, how do we get Mak to become the best player and person that she can be in this club," she said. Mak's played as a substitute in a handful of games this season, but her limited time on the pitch is far from forgettable. The teenager had her best chance at an NWSL goal against the Chicago Stars last month, only to be denied by goalie Alyssa Naeher. It was frustrating, she says, but she can't be too upset to have been blocked by the two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. "I talked to the coaches, and they're like, look, the fact that you got in that position and were so close to scoring... it's pretty rare," Mak said. "So I looked at it at a different point of view." She's joining the country's highest level of women's soccer at an age where studies show 1 in 2 girls begin to drop out of competitive sports altogether. It's the love of the game and challenges that keep Mak moving toward the next milestone, which of course includes visions of the U.S. women's national team and the World Cup. 'I am always thriving to get better, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally,' she said. 'And I would just say it's a satisfaction of creating a goal and then achieving it. And working really hard and seeing all that hard work really pay off.' Mak is the youngest in a growing youth movement within the NWSL, sparked by a then-19-year-old Olivia Moultrie. Moultrie, a Portland Thorns midfielder, won an antitrust lawsuit against the NWSL that she filed in 2021 to repeal the league's age requirement for its players. In 2022, the league unveiled a policy that would allow teams to sign a few under-18 players with restrictions. It's not unheard of for men's teams to feature teenage talent — Freddy Adu debuted for D.C. United in 2004 at just 14 years old, the youngest person to debut for any professional U.S. sport at the time. And 20 years later, Cavan Sullivan made his own MLS debut for the Philadelphia Union at 14. Mak's father noted that the decision to let their own teen make her professional debut was not one the family members took lightly. She spent months training with multiple NWSL teams ,in addition to her time spent working with Gotham, before signing a deal. "She continued to have growth and success within that environment," Whitham said. "So, Mak wanted it, and we were committed to supporting her dreams." Gotham's general manager, Yael Averbuch West, and head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, have partnered with the family to "to ensure she is continuing to grow not only in her game but as a person," Whitham said. "We have a very strong relationship with Gotham and have meetings on a set cadence concerning all areas of her development at Gotham," he added. Some of the league-mandated safeguards for young players include anti-trade protections until they turn 18, a separate changing area from the adults, regular drug testing and requirements that the team helps pay for housing and schooling costs. Mak says she's grateful to have a family that would move across the country to help her achieve her dream. She pointed out that her father's sports career was similar, as he joined the 1998 Team USA ski team when he was still in high school. "He understands the sacrifices and he understands the challenges that come with it," Mak said. "So I'm really grateful to have him. And I have my mom as well, she helps me with a lot of things, like with schooling ... I can go to her and have really good conversations." After a morning of team training, workouts and recovery, Mak returns home to homeschooling and hanging out with her younger sister. They go on walks with their dog, play video games and, of course, play some competitive soccer. Now that school's out for the summer, though, Mak says she'll probably fill that time just relaxing. Her 15th birthday is also just a few weeks away, which she says will probably involve soccer and a family dinner. Mak is happy and thriving as she gets to live out her dream each and every day, her father said. Whitham noted the family still values the importance of education, so college is still in the plan. "There is no single way that is better than another," he said, "It is extremely important that women have the same opportunities as men to develop as players, especially if that is the passion and wish of the player." Doha Madani Doha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.
New York Post
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Weary Gotham FC looking to get back into NWSL playoff picture
There's a busy schedule, and then there's what Gotham FC has. 'I don't think there's a team that works harder in this league than Gotham,' owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said last weekend. Advertisement Three weeks ago, the team was in Monterrey, Mexico, claiming the inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup — an achievement that was celebrated Tuesday night, when the Empire State Building was lit up in Gotham blue. Then it was off to international duty for many of the team's standouts. Then, Gotham (3W-3D-5L) returned to regular-season NWSL play, losing a 2-1 decision to first-place Kansas City on Saturday that dropped them to 10th place in the 14-team league. Advertisement Two more NWSL tilts to try to claw up the standings — starting with Friday night's road game against the Utah Royals (9:30 p.m. Eastern) — and then it's time for a month-plus-long international break that for a sizable chunk of the roster isn't a break at all as they scatter to the corners of the world to play for their national teams. 'Our team knows that if they want it easy, they probably wouldn't have come to Gotham,' Tisch Blodgett said. 'We have high standards. New York, New Jersey has high standards, and players come here because they want to compete with the best.' To that end, five Gotham players soon will depart for the summer's marquee event, the Women's Euro: forward Esther González (Spain), goalie Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), defender Jess Carter (England), forward Jéssica Silva (Portugal) and the team's newest signing, former Harvard midfielder Josefine Hasbo (Denmark). Forward Gabi Portilho (Brazil) will participate in Copa América. Advertisement Gotham FC owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett says her squad has 'high standards.' Getty Images And midfielder Rose Lavelle is expected to join back up with the U.S. women's national team for a round of friendlies after returning from an ankle injury last weekend. How about a lull later in the summer? Nope. On Thursday, Gotham announced four extra matches for August through October as they look to defend their W Champions Cup title. Advertisement 'I think people are still understanding the significance of that in the global game,' Tisch Blodgett said of the CONCACAF trophy. 'When we came in as new owners last year, we set a vision to be the first global women's sports franchise, and this is a critical step in that.' Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amoros said he believes his team is in a 'good place' despite their recent struggles in NWSL games. EM Dash-Imagn Images But first, of course, the not-so-small matter of working their way back into at least the NWSL's top eight and a playoff spot. Gotham has lost three straight regular-season matches on either side of all their extracurriculars, though head coach Juan Carlos Amoros, typically the optimist, said Thursday, 'I think the team is in a good place.' Still, the stakes against Utah (1W-2D-8L) are heightened with Gotham in desperate need of three points. 'If you're in the bottom of the league, everything counts, every single shot, every single duel. If we don't get it right, we can actually end up even lower, and I think all the girls know that,' Berger said. 'And I think Utah actually have a really good team, and I think they're playing really nice soccer.' Forwards Midge Purce and Ella Stevens did not travel to Utah after getting subbed off due to injuries in the loss to Kansas City.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Vancouver Rise FC Academy learns its path at the 2025-26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
Players of NJ/NY Gotham FC of the U.S. lift the trophy after winning the CONCACAF Women Champions Cup tournament at University stadium in Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Jorge Mendoza) The Vancouver Rise FC Academy was drawn with defending champion Gotham FC and fellow NWSL side Washington Spirit in Group B for the second edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, which kicks off in August. Group B also includes Mexico's CF Monterrey Femenil and El Salvador's Alianza Women FC. Group A is comprised of Mexico's Club America and CF Pachuca Femenil, NWSL champion Orlando Pride, Costa Rica's LD Alajuelense and Panama's FC Chorrillo. The group stage, to run from August to October, will see each team play two home and two away games. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals, set for May 2026. The 10-team tournament is the elite women's club competition in the region that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. The winner qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Women's Champions Cup, an annual tournament featuring the champions of each confederation, and for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup, set to debut in 2028. Gotham, the 2023 NWSL champion, defeated Mexico's Tigres UANL 1-0 in the May 25 final of the inaugural edition of the tournament. As winner, Gotham qualifies for the 2028 FIFA Women's Club World Cup. The Vancouver Rise Academy, formerly Whitecaps Girls Elite FC, qualified virtue of winning the League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship — the same pathway it used for 2024-25 qualification. Whitecaps Girls Elite failed to reach the knockout rounds after finishing fourth in Group B at 1-3-0, outscored 16-2 after losses to Club America (7-0) and NWSL's Portland Thorns (6-0) and San Diego Wave (2-0) and a win over Panama's Sante Fe FC (2-1). The Northern Super League is currently in discussions with Canada Soccer and CONCACAF about the qualification process for future editions. Gotham was the highest-scoring team in the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup with 25 goals. CF Monterrey won the 2024 Apertura title while Alianza Women won the 2024 Apertura and Clausura titles in El Salvador for a domestic four-peat. Tuesday's draw was conducted by Carlos Fernandez, CONCACAF's chief football competitions officer, and assisted by former Mexican footballer Desirée Monsiváis. This report by Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Vancouver Rise FC Academy learns its path at the 2025-26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
The Vancouver Rise FC Academy was drawn with defending champion Gotham FC and fellow NWSL side Washington Spirit in Group B for the second edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, which kicks off in August. Group B also includes Mexico's CF Monterrey Femenil and El Salvador's Alianza Women FC. Group A is comprised of Mexico's Club America and CF Pachuca Femenil, NWSL champion Orlando Pride, Costa Rica's LD Alajuelense and Panama's FC Chorrillo. The group stage, to run from August to October, will see each team play two home and two away games. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals, set for May 2026. The 10-team tournament is the elite women's club competition in the region that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. The winner qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Women's Champions Cup, an annual tournament featuring the champions of each confederation, and for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup, set to debut in 2028. Gotham, the 2023 NWSL champion, defeated Mexico's Tigres UANL 1-0 in the May 25 final of the inaugural edition of the tournament. As winner, Gotham qualifies for the 2028 FIFA Women's Club World Cup. The Vancouver Rise Academy, formerly Whitecaps Girls Elite FC, qualified virtue of winning the League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship — the same pathway it used for 2024-25 qualification. Whitecaps Girls Elite failed to reach the knockout rounds after finishing fourth in Group B at 1-3-0, outscored 16-2 after losses to Club America (7-0) and NWSL's Portland Thorns (6-0) and San Diego Wave (2-0) and a win over Panama's Sante Fe FC (2-1). The Northern Super League is currently in discussions with Canada Soccer and CONCACAF about the qualification process for future editions. Gotham was the highest-scoring team in the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup with 25 goals. CF Monterrey won the 2024 Apertura title while Alianza Women won the 2024 Apertura and Clausura titles in El Salvador for a domestic four-peat. Tuesday's draw was conducted by Carlos Fernandez, CONCACAF's chief football competitions officer, and assisted by former Mexican footballer Desirée Monsiváis. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Vancouver Rise FC Academy learns its path at the 2025-26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup
The Vancouver Rise FC Academy was drawn with defending champion Gotham FC and fellow NWSL side Washington Spirit in Group B for the second edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup, which kicks off in August. Group B also includes Mexico's CF Monterrey Femenil and El Salvador's Alianza Women FC. Group A is comprised of Mexico's Club America and CF Pachuca Femenil, NWSL champion Orlando Pride, Costa Rica's LD Alajuelense and Panama's FC Chorrillo. The group stage, to run from August to October, will see each team play two home and two away games. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals, set for May 2026. The 10-team tournament is the elite women's club competition in the region that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean. The winner qualifies for the 2027 FIFA Women's Champions Cup, an annual tournament featuring the champions of each confederation, and for the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup, set to debut in 2028. Gotham, the 2023 NWSL champion, defeated Mexico's Tigres UANL 1-0 in the May 25 final of the inaugural edition of the tournament. As winner, Gotham qualifies for the 2028 FIFA Women's Club World Cup. The Vancouver Rise Academy, formerly Whitecaps Girls Elite FC, qualified virtue of winning the League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship — the same pathway it used for 2024-25 qualification. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Whitecaps Girls Elite failed to reach the knockout rounds after finishing fourth in Group B at 1-3-0, outscored 16-2 after losses to Club America (7-0) and NWSL's Portland Thorns (6-0) and San Diego Wave (2-0) and a win over Panama's Sante Fe FC (2-1). The Northern Super League is currently in discussions with Canada Soccer and CONCACAF about the qualification process for future editions. Gotham was the highest-scoring team in the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup with 25 goals. CF Monterrey won the 2024 Apertura title while Alianza Women won the 2024 Apertura and Clausura titles in El Salvador for a domestic four-peat. Tuesday's draw was conducted by Carlos Fernandez, CONCACAF's chief football competitions officer, and assisted by former Mexican footballer Desirée Monsiváis. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
