Matildas Stars Aim to Bounce Back in NWSL After a Rough 2024 A Year of Ups and Downs Mackenzie Arnold and Cortnee Vine had a mixed bag of experiences in 2024 after reaching career highs in 2023. August 12, 2023, is a date that sticks out for both. They became national heroes after their great showing in the Matildas’ penalty shootout win against France in the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals. Arnold’s three big saves and Vine’s winning penalty really cemented their place in Australian football history. Matildas Stars Seek NWSL Rebound. ICYMT: Leeds United’s Lethal Pursuit of Promotion But, after the peak of 2023, 2024 was pretty tough for both players. It affected their careers both at home and internationally. They were on the Matildas team that didn’t do so well at the Paris Olympics, getting knocked out in the group stage. Plus, both had trouble settling into life in the NWSL after moving to different clubs. Arnold’s Tricky Transition Mackenzie Arnold moved from West Ham in the Women’s Super League (WSL) to Portland Thorns in the NWSL. But she found it hard to get regular playing time. Joining mid-season, she only played five games and made some mistakes. This meant Shelby Hogan was picked for key playoff matches. Arnold’s struggles went on when she lost her starting spot for the Matildas to Teagan Micah during the SheBelieves Cup. Now, getting ready for the next season, Arnold has to get her form back and make sure she’s the number one goalkeeper for both Portland and Australia. With the Thorns dealing with injuries to key players like Sophia Wilson and Marie Muller, Arnold needs to step up and lead from the back. Former Matilda Ashleigh Sykes, who used to play for Portland, knows how hard it’s been for Arnold but thinks she can recover. It’s hard to stay at your best after a huge year like 2023, especially when joining a new club mid-season, Sykes told Optus Sport. Now that she’s had some time to settle in during the off-season, she should be in a better position to get used to her new team and how they defend. Matildas Stars Seek NWSL Rebound. Vine’s Mental Health Break and Return Cortnee Vine’s first season in the NWSL wasn’t easy either. After joining North Carolina Courage, she only played five matches, scoring once before stepping away from football because of mental health problems. She also had issues with the national team, making herself unavailable for several Matildas camps that year. Luckily, Vine is back in training now and should be playing when the NWSL season starts this weekend. Sykes is hopeful about Vine’s return, pointing out that the supportive atmosphere at North Carolina Courage is helping her recover. Playing regularly can be a great way to get back on your feet, if things are going well, Sykes said. The Courage have shown they really care about their players, which was clear in how they dealt with Cortnee’s situation last year. She also mentioned Ella Toone of Manchester United, who had a tough time at the start of the season after losing her father but has since gotten back to her best. Hopefully, Vine can have a similar comeback, Sykes added. Taking Time Off for Mental Health Sykes agreed with Vine’s decision to skip some international matches. She thinks it helped Vine manage stress and pressure better. Sykes related this to her own career, remembering times when she had to step away from the national team to stay balanced. It’s not easy juggling club football and international games, especially when there are big expectations, Sykes said. Sometimes, it’s best to take one thing off your plate and focus on getting back to your best. Matildas Stars Seek NWSL Rebound. Looking Forward to the NWSL Season As the new NWSL season kicks off, both Arnold and Vine have a chance to rebuild their careers. Vine will be looking to get back into competitive football, while Arnold needs to prove herself to get her starting spot back. Sykes thinks Arnold has a tough job but can do well if she leads her defense and plays well. She needs to own that position and lead from the back, she said. We need to see those great saves again if she wants to keep clean sheets for Portland. Even with the difficulties of 2024, both players have a fresh start in 2025. Australian fans will be watching closely to see how they do in the NWSL. Every match of the 2025 season will be live and only on Optus Sport, so fans will be keen to see how Arnold and Vine bounce back.