Over the past few seasons in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Major League Soccer (MLS), a new wave of young athletes has been redefining what it means to play at the highest level. Some of them are even playing professional soccer before they can drive. In the NWSL and the MLS, there are players aged 16, 15 and even 14, who are not just showing up, they are showing out. The MLS is often referred to as the retirement league where old premier league players go when they are finished with their careers, but this new generation of players is here to challenge this thought.
The youngest NWSL player of all time, McKenna Whitham, made her debut this year at the age of just 14 years and 8 months for New Jersey/New York Gotham Football Club. She had signed with the club at only 13 years old. In the MLS, Axel Kei holds the record for the youngest player for signing at 14 years and 15 days old for Real Salt Lake.
These teenagers are balancing their high school exams and events with professional level training sessions, all while still studying for the SAT. At 18 years old, Alyssa Thompson was selected to play for Angel City Football Club, and had to miss her high school prom for a game. It is sacrifices like these that prove how committed these young players are to their sports. Cavan Sullivan made history at just under 15 years old as the youngest player to appear in an MLS match for the Philadelphia Union. His speed and agility was a boost for Philadelphia’s team.
Jim Curtin, the head coach of the Philadelphia Union MLS team, commented on the commitment and impact of 15 year old Cavan Sullivan, “The sky’s the limit. I do still say he’s a generational talent, one who can really change the game by himself and one that has such a quick first step (where) it’s maybe something we need too, to unlock a defense, to go 1v1,” Curtin said.
Olivia Moultrie led the fight to lower the age limit in the NWSL, eventually winning a lawsuit against the organization which removed the age limit. She debuted with the Portland Thorns at the age of 15.
In an interview with ESPN, she said that she believes that “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”
She had no idea the progress she made and inspired in the NWSL as these young athletes are now breaking records, shifting team dynamics and bringing a fresh intensity to the game. These players are proving her point that in these instances, age is only a number when you have the talent, mindset and work ethic to back it up.
Jesse Marsch, the former head coach of the New York Red Bulls MLS team, said in February to MLS reporters, “In the current US climate, I think developing young American talent is more vital than ever.” As the game progresses in the United States, providing young players with pathways to enter professional leagues at earlier ages could lead to a more competitive environment.
These new young players coming in may also put pressure on the older players to continue to develop in order to keep up. Focusing on this new generation of footballers is not just about nurturing future stars but shifting the culture of soccer entirely in the United States. More and more young players are receiving top-level coaching and opportunities to hone their skills earlier than before. Starting from the bottom up, this can pave the way for the further development of soccer. The landscape of soccer in America is evolving rapidly, with the youngest generations leading the way.
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