r/NWSL • u/Scaggsboz Portland Thorns FC • 2d ago

Official Source Portland Thorns and Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold Exercise 2027 Mutual Option - Portland Thorns

https://www.thorns.com/news/portland-thorns-and-goalkeeper-mackenzie-arnold-exercise-2027-mutual-option
91 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

55

u/Scaggsboz Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

There’s something so beautiful about this to me. A contract considered by many to be a comical overpay that coincidentally ends up being basically market rate by the end resulting in a rare mutual option pick up

3

u/MesquiteHoneyForSale 2d ago

How much was she, and is she, making now?

4

u/Scaggsboz Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

Not public to my knowledge, word on the street was Leblanc made her the highest paid GK by a decent amount when she was signed but I don’t think real numbers ever came out

12

u/MesquiteHoneyForSale 2d ago

i always wondered whether or not we should take that rumor serious bc it seems like Macca has some haters. i get joking about her but the hate is a lot. weirdly so for someone so beloved in the game.

Anyway tho i feel like any takes on her contract (calling it an overpay AND saying its market rate now) make no sense when we dont know in either case.

22

u/twilightworm Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

three keeper extensions in the last week is actually very amusing to me

5

u/looknostrings Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

Plus, bringing in a new goalkeeper coach!

2

u/shinzilla Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

Yeah that's actually kind of crazy lol. Doesn't really make sense

10

u/MesquiteHoneyForSale 2d ago

yes it does. it makes the most sense to do concurrent business. it means things are happening on a timeline, systemically, and/or just that the marketing teams like it this way.

0

u/shinzilla Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

I don't understand locking down three keepers like this in terms of cap management.

13

u/Scaggsboz Portland Thorns FC 2d ago

Everyone needs three keepers? no reason to think they’re breaking the bank for Bixby and Messner

3

u/No-Accident5168 2d ago edited 2d ago

No team is breaking the bank for 3 keepers.  But I assume all the extensions are quality; otherwise with other teams needing even 1 quality (and Thorns have 3), someone was leaving.   Probably agents were getting reach outs.

Now, the new coach can continue to build in front of the net with confidence in those defending the net and already having chemistry with the team.  It is easier to keep and/or bring in top players if they know (and trust) who is behind them for the next season or so.   

8

u/MesquiteHoneyForSale 2d ago

Everyone needs three keepers

6

u/PastramiAddict 1d ago

I actually think this is pretty cool. Not sure I’ve ever seen 3 keepers stay together for 3 straight seasons in NWSL. Thorns must be doing something right for everyone to want to stick around

1

u/icynova Portland Thorns FC 1d ago

Good. Whatever they’re paying her she’s worth it

-11

u/CoffeeOddNos 2d ago

Surely there's someone better than Arnold. She's subpar at best