Katrina Gorry news delights football world after sad development around Matildas teammate

Matildas veteran Katrina Gorry has taken over from Mackenzie Arnold as captain of Women's Super League (WSL) side West Ham, despite playing just seven matches for the Hammers. Arnold departed the English club at the end of last season after a four-year stint that included her skippering the side in 2023-24.

And needing to appoint a new captain ahead of the 2024/25 WSL season, the Hammers have turned to Arnold's teammate Gorry. It was a decision that came as somewhat of a shock considering the 32-year-old only arrived at West Ham in the January transfer window and managed to play just a handful of games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.

Many expected Dagny Brynjarsdottir would be handed the armband as she makes her return for her first full season since giving birth to her second child in February. However, Brynjarsdottir was announced as vice-captain and Gorry was given the captaincy, an honour the Australian international says is something she has always dreamed of.

“It’s a massive honour to be named captain of West Ham United and to be given the opportunity to lead such an incredible group of people,” Gorry said in a club statement. "It was a special moment when I had the conversation with Rehanne (Skinner, head coach) and she asked me to be captain. I was really emotional as it is something that I don’t take lightly.

"It feels as if my whole career has led me to this point. When I gave birth (in 2021) to my daughter, Harper, I didn’t know whether I was going to play football again. I didn’t know whether we’d be able to find a club that would support me and my family. But since I walked through the door at West Ham for the first time, I have felt fully supported by everyone at the club. I feel really happy in this environment, and I can represent my best self here.”

Gorry became a mother for the second time in June when partner Clara gave birth to their son. And she will hope to establish herself in the WSL this season after injury cruelled her first year in the competition. She arrived at West Ham in January after 15 years of playing in Australia, Canada, the US, Japan, Norway and Sweden.

And having so often led by example for her country, Gorry will now step up as captain for her club ahead of West Ham’s season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend. And the football world was quick to congratulate Gorry and give the move the tick of approval.

Mackenzie Arnold endures tough start to Portland career

Despite becoming West Ham's captain and winning its Player of the Year award in her most recent season, Arnold decided to return to America, signing with National Women’s Soccer League side, the Portland Thorns. Her decision to leave England was also made all the more difficult by the fact she had to leave behind partner Kirsty Smith, who has also played with West Ham since 2021.

And her move to the Thorns has started rather shaky, failing to establish herself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. American Shelby Hogan has been the regular starter for Portland this season, with the Matildas keeper only managing three starts in the club's 20 games this season, conceding six goals.

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She started the Thorns' last match, a 1-0 loss to Chicago Red Stars, and even made a penalty save. However, her good work was overshadowed by a monumental blunder that gave the Stars the win. Arnold got it all wrong charging out of her box and clattering into teammate Kelli Hubly, presenting Ally Schlegel with an open net. And the error didn't go down with fans, who called for Hogan to be reinstated ahead of the Thorns' next match.