A couple of readying bounces, some instruction from Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amorós followed by an encouraging handshake and smile. Those were the moments late Saturday night before forward Mak Whitham,

McKenna Whitham, 14, became the youngest-ever footballer to play in the NWSL after coming off the bench in NJ/NY Gotham FC's season opener against Seattle Reign.

Fourteen-year-old Mak Whitman became the youngest player in National Women's Soccer League history when she took the field for Gotham FC versus the Seattle Reign on Friday night. She debuted as a substitute in the third minute of second half stoppage.

Mak Whitham made history Saturday night as the youngest player to appear in a NWSL regular-season match. The 14-year-old forward entered as a stoppage-time substitute for NJ/NY Gotham FC during a 1-1 draw against Seattle Reign at Lumen Field.