Thorns FC have announced the signing of Australian 2023 FIFA Best Goalkeeper finalist Mackenzie Arnold through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. Arnold will join the Thorns following the completion of her time at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, and is eligible for competition once the secondary-transfer window opens, pending receipt of her ITC and P-1 visa.
“Since the beginning, this Club has prioritized competition across all our positions, aiming to create teams that can compete each and every year at the highest level and win championships,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “Mackenzie is someone we identified earlier this year as a player that could help elevate our goalkeeper group. She is a highly decorated international goalkeeper, with experience on the world’s biggest stages. We believe her addition will make our goalkeeper unit stronger, our team better and help us achieve our championship winning goals.”
Arnold, 30, made international headlines this past summer as the starting goalkeeper for Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leading her home country to their first ever semi-final berth following a dramatic win over France, where she made four saves in the penalty shootout. Additionally, Arnold led the entire Women’s World Cup with four clean sheets, throughout the tournament, earning shutouts over Republic of Ireland, Canada, Denmark and France.
Earlier this month Arnold was named to Australia’s roster for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, where she is expected to once again be the starting ‘keeper for the Matildas. Since making her Australia National Team debut in 2012, Arnold has appeared in 49 matches for her country.
At the club level, Arnold comes to the Rose City having most recently played for West Ham United in the FA Women’s Super League, the top flight of women’s football in England. In her fourth, and final, season with the Hammers, Arnold was named team captain and eventual 2024 Women’s Hammer of the Year. Arnold leaves West Ham having appeared in more than 75 matches, across all competitions.
Prior to making the move to England, Arnold spent part of the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League season with the Chicago Red Stars, but did not make any appearances. Additionally, she spent the first part of the 2019 season with Arna-Bjørnar in Norway.
Arnold began her professional career in her home country with Perth Glory in Australia’s W-League. The goalkeeper has since made stops at Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar throughout the W-League, winning the premiership in 2014 and 2017-2018 with Perth and Brisbane, respectively. In addition, Arnold was named the W-League three times, including the 2012-13, 2014 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Portland Thorns will enter into a two-week break before beginning the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Summer Cup on Sunday, July 21 against Club Tijuana at Providence Park. The Thorns will return to regular-season play following the completion of the Summer Olympics, in August.
PORTLAND, Ore. (Saturday, August 15, 2026) – The Portland Thorns continued their impressive home form with a 2-1 win over Orlando Pride on Saturday when forward Caiya Hanks — who was making her return to the pitch after missing action for over a year with an ACL injury — scored a stoppage time winner to secure three points for the home side.
Both sides battled back and forth as they tried to search for the opening goal, with Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold making three saves to ensure the match remained level going into the halftime break.
The Thorns came out into the second half much more threatening in Orlando’s half and finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when forward Pietra Tordin laid the ball off to forward Deyna Castellanos, who from the top right corner of Orlando’s box placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Orlando goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
The lead was short lived however when Arnold’s diving save to punch out a crossed ball in the 63rd minute ricocheted off the knees of Orlando forward Jacqueline Ovalle and rolled into the net to level things back up.
From there, Portland and Orlando continued in their fight to search for a second and despite several good looks at goal, the match remained level.
That would all change after Hanks — who subbed on in the 88th minute — curled the ball into the goal from outside the box in the 96th to send Providence Park into a frenzy as the Thorns secured three points and extended its home unbeaten streak to 12 matches, nine on the season.
UP NEXT: The Portland Thorns host Denver Summit FC for the first time at Providence Park on Saturday, August 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 pm PT on ION and 910 ESPN Portland. Purchase tickets for the match HERE.
TEAM NOTES
GOAL BREAKDOWN
First Half
N/A
Second Half
POR – Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin) 58’
ORL – Jacqueline Ovalle 63’
POR – Caiya Hanks (M.A. Vignola) 90+6’
LINEUPS
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold (GK), M.A. Vignola, Jayden Perry, Isabella Obaze (Sam Hiatt 78’), Carolyn Calzada, Jessie Fleming-C, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Bogere 85’), Pietra Tordin (Caiya Hanks 88’), Deyna Castellanos (Renee Lyles 78’), Marie Müller (Morgan Weaver 67’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Morgan Messner (GK), Reyna Reyes, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie
Orlando Pride (4-4-2): Anna Moorhouse (GK), Hailie Mace (Gabi Nunes 90+8’), Rafaelle (Zoe Matthews 89’), Cori Dyke, Oihane Hernández (Zara Chavoshi 76’), Solai Washington, Ally Lemos, Haley McCutcheon-C, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 65’), Jacqueline Ovalle, Barbra Banda (Angelina 65’)
Subs not used: Cara Martin (GK), Cossette Morche, Luana, Nicole Payne
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
POR: N/A
ORL: Jacqueline Ovalle (Yellow) 40’, Julie Doyle (Yellow) 52’, Rafaelle (Yellow) 85’
MATCH STATS
POR | ORL
Goals: 2|1
Assists: 2|0
Possession: 51|49
Shots: 10|12
Shots on Target: 4|6
Saves: 5|2
Tackles: 16|16
Tackles Won: 9|11
Interceptions: 14|26
Fouls: 7|6
Offsides: 0|1
Corner Kicks: 0|6
ATTENDANCE: 19,106
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistant Referee 1: Katarzyna Wasiak
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Gaddes
4th Official: Justin St. Pierre
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Assistant VAR: Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Thorns FC have announced the signing of Australian 2023 FIFA Best Goalkeeper finalist Mackenzie Arnold through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. Arnold will join the Thorns following the completion of her time at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, and is eligible for competition once the secondary-transfer window opens, pending receipt of her ITC and P-1 visa.
“Since the beginning, this Club has prioritized competition across all our positions, aiming to create teams that can compete each and every year at the highest level and win championships,” General Manager and President of Soccer Operations Karina LeBlanc said. “Mackenzie is someone we identified earlier this year as a player that could help elevate our goalkeeper group. She is a highly decorated international goalkeeper, with experience on the world’s biggest stages. We believe her addition will make our goalkeeper unit stronger, our team better and help us achieve our championship winning goals.”
Arnold, 30, made international headlines this past summer as the starting goalkeeper for Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, leading her home country to their first ever semi-final berth following a dramatic win over France, where she made four saves in the penalty shootout. Additionally, Arnold led the entire Women’s World Cup with four clean sheets, throughout the tournament, earning shutouts over Republic of Ireland, Canada, Denmark and France.
Earlier this month Arnold was named to Australia’s roster for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, where she is expected to once again be the starting ‘keeper for the Matildas. Since making her Australia National Team debut in 2012, Arnold has appeared in 49 matches for her country.
At the club level, Arnold comes to the Rose City having most recently played for West Ham United in the FA Women’s Super League, the top flight of women’s football in England. In her fourth, and final, season with the Hammers, Arnold was named team captain and eventual 2024 Women’s Hammer of the Year. Arnold leaves West Ham having appeared in more than 75 matches, across all competitions.
Prior to making the move to England, Arnold spent part of the 2019 National Women’s Soccer League season with the Chicago Red Stars, but did not make any appearances. Additionally, she spent the first part of the 2019 season with Arna-Bjørnar in Norway.
Arnold began her professional career in her home country with Perth Glory in Australia’s W-League. The goalkeeper has since made stops at Canberra United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar throughout the W-League, winning the premiership in 2014 and 2017-2018 with Perth and Brisbane, respectively. In addition, Arnold was named the W-League three times, including the 2012-13, 2014 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Portland Thorns will enter into a two-week break before beginning the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Summer Cup on Sunday, July 21 against Club Tijuana at Providence Park. The Thorns will return to regular-season play following the completion of the Summer Olympics, in August.
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