# 13-year-old McKenna Whitham scores winner for Gotham in pre-season game

Feb 28, 2024  
Emma Hruby

The NWSL youth movement continues, with 13-year-old McKenna Whitham scoring in Gotham FC’s preseason friendly on Tuesday.

Whitham notched the game-winner on Tuesday night against Deportivo Cali, which was also the game’s lone goal.

Gotham will now move on to the finale of the preseason tournament, where they’ll play fellow NWSL club Racing Louisville.

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A member of the U.S. U-15 youth national team, Whitham is in camp with Gotham as a non-rostered invitee. She’s also trained previously with Kansas City and Washington.

Earlier this month, Whitham made headlines by becoming the youngest athlete in any sport to sign an NIL deal with Nike.

The final minute goal from Mac was fantastic because obviously she is a special young player we decided to give a chance,” Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amorós said after the game. “We’re very happy to see her score the game-winning goal.”

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