“USA, a more than beneficial experience”

As his partners prepare for their first game of the season in front of Dives-Cabourg, on Saturday 24 August 2024, Théo Le Calvé is patient. The attacking midfielder, recruited very early in the off-season by ASPTT Caen, is recovering from adductor surgery. His return to business is not expected until October. But the former Malherbiste, who spent four years in the United States, longs to play again in the region.

You didn’t start the preparation with the rest of the squad because of an injury. How do you experience it?

After the pubalgia at the end of the season, which did not heal until the restart, I had to have surgery on both adductors. Not resuming with the group for preparation is not easy. I was keen to integrate well and meet my new teammates, to make a lot of preparations to be in good shape with the team when the championship resumes, it’s just a postponement.

Why did you join ASPTT Caen this season?

After several years in the US and a year and a half in Brittany, I wanted to return to Normandy near my family and friends. The feeling with the club and Laurent Dufour went really well, and it was obvious for me to return to Caen, it is a club that matches my values.

Why did you sign for Fougères last year?

When I returned from the US, I was looking for a new challenge. In January 2023, USF opened its doors to me. During my trial I was very well received by Ben Touchard, the staff and the players. I appreciated the quality of the group, the work that went into training and the atmosphere that encompassed everything, I did not regret signing with the club.

What should you be able to bring to PTT?

I will bring as much as possible to the team when I return, putting my qualities to the benefit of the team, especially at the offensive level and in the last 30 meters where efficiency will be important.

“Playing at d’Ornano was a dream”

Can you trace your career, especially your time with Malherbe?

I spent 12 years at SM Caen, from U9 to the professional reserve, I went through all the categories. Playing for d’Ornano in Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 was a dream as a youngster, it became a goal as he rose through the ranks. I felt like I was close with two great seasons in the U19 National playing games with the pros. Unfortunately, my profile (player with a small build) was not particularly appreciated by the management at the time. I always knew how to keep my head on my shoulders, which allowed me to bounce back well with a season in the National 3 at Bayeux FC before flying to the US.

What inspired you to play in the US? What did you learn there?

I spent four years in the US, I returned to the professional world that I had left in Malherbe. There we are in unusual conditions with infrastructures that only lead us to progress. We train every day, often twice a day with bodybuilding, we are supported with care by doctors and physiotherapists who are on site all day, the sport is very developed at university level, it is equivalent to the training center in France. I developed a lot on the sporting level, but also on the professional level by obtaining several diplomas such as Master in Business and Administration. I also grew up and matured while living away from my family in a new language, I had to step out of my comfort zone, it was a more than beneficial experience for me.

Don’t you regret being kept by Los Angeles and not playing in MLS?

At the end of my first season at Biola University (university where I spent my last two seasons as well as studying a master’s degree), I was contacted by the assistant coach of Los Angeles FC (MLS club in the United States), who regularly came to our games . I was invited to do the pre-season in January 2022 for one month. The trial went well, unfortunately the club did not offer me a professional contract because there is a limit for international players in the team, so it is difficult for a young national team player to sign a contract with a club in MLS. I have no regrets because I am satisfied with what I gave during this test. So I played my second and final season with Biola where we were conference champions, a great end to my USA experience!

What is your outlook today? Hoping to climb the ladder in France?

Today I will focus on my return to the field, find joy again after these months of injuries and perform in this championship with ASPTT. I’m a competitor, so I’m always looking to get better, to progress, if the opportunity to move up the ladder presents itself, why not, but it’s no longer a goal like it used to be.

Outside of soccer, I have work related to the United States. After being a student-athlete, I now work at Scholarbook, an American college-athlete placement agency. That is, we place our athletes in universities by getting them an athletic scholarship and we support them throughout the administrative process to pursue their academic studies and athletic careers.

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