Matildas and Portland Thorns goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has spoken candidly about the significant challenges she faced after moving to the United States, admitting she was taken aback by the intense loyalty of American sports fans.
A Rocky Start in Portland
The 31-year-old Australian shot-stopper, who became a national hero during the Matildas' memorable run to the semi-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup, joined the National Women's Soccer League side Portland Thorns in 2024 on a lucrative multi-year deal after leaving West Ham.
However, her beginning at the club was far from smooth. Arnold's integration was hampered by untimely injuries and the return of the Thorns' regular goalkeeper, Bella Bixby, from parental leave. Bixby, an American fan favourite, meant Arnold was immediately playing catch-up for the starting position and the support of the local faithful.
The Shock of Fan Loyalty and Online Abuse
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Arnold expressed her surprise at the fervent support Americans show for their homegrown players. "Being in America is very, very different. The Americans love their own, which is completely understandable... I can understand where the loyalty lies," she stated.
This dynamic translated into harsh criticism directed at Arnold on social media platforms, an experience she found particularly difficult. "I just wasn't expecting a lot of that to be quite targeted at me," Arnold revealed. "I hadn't really experienced that a lot, and I read into it a lot because I knew I wasn't playing well."
The goalkeeper also felt the weight of expectation following her stellar World Cup performances, with fans and the club anticipating she would instantly replicate that form. "It's a known thing between the players. So going over on the contract that I was on, there was a lot expected of me," she said, noting the implicit question was: "we saw you at the World Cup, what are you going to bring to Portland?"
Emerging Stronger from the Experience
Despite the initial adversity, Arnold claims the tough period has ultimately made her more resilient. She has adopted a healthier approach to dealing with external noise. "It allowed me to also realise that a lot of them don't know what they're talking about," she said of her online critics. "They're just keyboard warriors at the end of the day. I really did use to look at comments after every game, and now I just find myself not doing it."
Arnold, who has earned 61 caps for Australia over a career spanning more than a decade, is now focused on her future in Portland. Her current contract runs through the 2026 season, with a mutual option for 2027.
