Washington Spirit rookie midfielder Croix Bethune will miss the remainder of the NWSL season due to a knee injury sustained while throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game. The Spirit announced that Bethune, a member of the U.S. Olympic team that secured gold in Paris, tore her meniscus during the pitch and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season as she undergoes rehabilitation.
The 23-year-old Bethune, who was the third overall pick in the NWSL draft, has been a key player for the Spirit, contributing five goals and 10 assists in 17 games. Despite her impactful performance on the field, the unfortunate injury occurred during a non-soccer-related event, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports injuries.
