Mackenzie Arnold Always Had the Skills to Be Portland’s Keeper. Now She Has the Confidence.

Mackenzie Arnold goes looking for trouble. Then she sends it screaming in the other direction.

Take the Portland Thorns’ matchup against Bay FC earlier this month. After Portland conceded an early goal in the 36th minute, the Bay was on the attack again three minutes later when Dorian Bailey received the ball in the Thorns’ box. The unmarked Bailey found the late run of Alyssa Malonson, who pinged a shot at Arnold’s far post.

But somehow Arnold was there. Extending her left arm, she pushed with enough power to tip the ball beyond the net. The block was voted NWSL’s Save of the Week and (more importantly) gave Portland a fighting chance; they went on to win the matchup 2–1 off a pair of Olivia Moultrie goals.

Arnold and the Portland Thorns’ determination has clinched the club a spot in t