Vivid Sydney: Mackenzie Arnold and Tony Gustavsson at Sydney Town Hall
Matildas “brick wall” goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold and head coach Tony Gustavsson are joining the 2024 Vivid Sydney program, chatting triumphs and tribulations ahead of the Paris Olympics. Part of the Vivid Ideas program, the conversation will be hosted by Matildas alum and sports journalist Grace Gill at Sydney Town Hall.
This year’s Vivid theme is “humanity” and coach Gustavsson said in a statement that he wants “to shed light not only on our achievements on the field but also the incredible spirit and resilience behind the scenes”.
The pair will discuss their dynamic as athlete and coach, the pressures they’ve tackled, and their impressive list of accolades. How did they get to the top of their game in Australian women’s soccer? How have they built a team adored by millions across the world? What challenges do they face? Plus, what do they make of the soccer surge among young girls?
Arnold’s tough-as-nails grit and steely focus earned her reputation as a soccer legend. She saved three penalties in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final victory over France and won Player of the Tournament in the 2023 Cup of Nations. Gustavsson is the Matildas 14th head coach and he guided the team to their biggest wins at the Olympics and in the FIFA World Cup. Over his decades-long career, he’s coached top teams in his homeland Sweden and in the United States.
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