CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has officially signed for the Portland Thorns through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027, making the move from West Ham United after four seasons spent in England.
Arnold makes the move to the NWSL after finishing the 2023/24 season with West Ham, making 19 appearances in the WSL last season.
The goalkeeper signs with the Portland Thorns, becoming the 7th Australian player to sign for the Thorns after Clare Polkinghorne, Steph Catley, Ashleigh Sykes, Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord all called ‘The City of Roses’ home.
This will be Arnold’s second stint in the NWSL, after she signed for the Chicago Red Stars in July 2019, but didn’t make an appearance for the side and will look to make her NWSL debut for the Thorns.
Thorns currently sit in 5th place on the ladder, turning their season around after starting the season with back-to-back defeats. At the midway point of the NWSL, Portland sit in a playoff spot and with the signing of Arnold to their goalkeeping ranks will look to hold on to their spot.
“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.
Arnold will join the Thorns’ goalkeeper ranks of Emily Alvarado, Shelby Hogan and Lauren Kozal. She will be beside a familiar face, with Jordan Franken, current CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper coach Tony Franken’s son and current Australian U-23 Goalkeeping coach, the goalkeeper coach at Thorns.
