PORTLAND, Maine — If you watched the Maine Footy take the pitch this summer, you might remember No. 24 Anae Malbete.
The French native said she was looking for a summer league where she could improve her skills before returning to Limestone University in the fall. Malbete was able to connect with team officials from Maine and spent the past few months living with her teammates at Saint Joseph's College while competing in the United Women's Soccer League.
She started six games for the Maine Footy and scored two goals this summer.
Malbete said she was impressed by the level of play from her Maine teammates and by her coaches' knowledge of the game.
That's high praise considering soccer, or futbol, is one of France's and Europe's most popular sports.
Malbete went through the Paris Saint-Germain program as a young player. That club is one of the best in France and the world. While some may relate her home country with soccer, especially after the men's national team won the 2016 World Cup, Malbete said the country loves watching all sports.
“We watch everything. I think [the athletes] will feel the passion we have about sports during the Olympics," Malbete said.
You may think the lifelong soccer player would be most excited to watch France on the pitch in Paris, but Malbete said she's really looking forward to watching basketball. Especially, with Team USA's super team and French superstar Victor Wembanyama on the court this year.
Malbete hopes all the athletes and fans enjoy the sights of Paris, which she knows all about as the Eiffel Tower is within sight of her family's apartment.
While she said she had a fun summer in Vacationland, she does miss French-style bread and cheese but did say she found some "good cheese" at a local shop in Portland.
She won't be in Paris for the games. Instead, she and her parents are taking a vacation around the United States before returning to college for summer practice.