Anne Mäkinen

Who is Anne Mäkinen?

Anne Maarit Mäkinen is a former Finnish football player, who last played for Swedish club AIK in Stockholm. She was a central midfielder.

Following her debut in June 1991, Mäkinen represented Finland a record 118 times, with 16 goals as of her retirement in 2009. She was the first Finnish player to play in the WUSA, and played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame. Mäkinen played for Washington Freedom, Philadelphia Charge and New Jersey Wildcats. While with Notre Dame, she was the Rookie of the Year in 1997 and the most valuable player in 2000, and was selected to the All Stars of University soccer four years in a row. In 2005, Mäkinen vice-captained Finland to the bronze medals in the European Championship finals, which stands as her nations's best achievement in this sport. While with Umeå IK in Sweden, she twice won the Swedish top league, Damallsvenskan, in 2005 and 2006.

Mäkinen's playing style was very powerful. She was skillful with the ball, and dictated the run of her team's play from central midfield with her effective tackling and telling passes.