Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune suffers season-ending knee injury while throwing the Nats’ first pitch

September 5, 2024

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Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune suffers season-ending knee injury while throwing the Nats’ first pitch

Croix Bethune’s impressive debut season came to an abrupt end when she suffered a torn meniscus while throwing out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game last week.

The injury requires surgery and puts Bethune on the season-ending injured list, the Washington Spirit reported Wednesday.

According to Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez, the injury occurred during the ceremonial first pitch.

“She had a problem making the first pitch in the baseball game,” he said, according to the Associated Press. “She won’t be available this season. That’s life. You have to move on.”

Croix Bethune will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to injury.

Wishing you a healthy recovery, Croix! Sending you our love and support 🫶

—Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 4, 2024

The 23-year-old has accomplished more in her first six months as a pro than many players manage in an entire career. Bethune was selected third overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, with Washington trading defensive anchor Sam Staab to acquire the pick. It paid off quickly, as she became an instant starter following the departure of Ashley Sanchez in a same-day trade. Bethune took home NWSL Rookie of the Month honors in March/April, May and June; no other player had previously won the award in consecutive months, let alone three in a row.

Her club’s strong form helped her land a spot on the United States women’s national team, first as a practice player for Emma Hayes’ first training camp in June and making her debut in a friendly in July before being named a reserve for the 2024 Olympics. An injury to Jaedyn Shaw saw Bethune promoted to the 18-player roster, making one appearance on the bench as the U.S. women’s national team returned to gold medal contention.

(Jeff Rueter/The Athletic)

Despite the knee injury, Bethune is still the favorite to take home the NWSL Rookie of the Year award — if the string of monthly accolades isn’t proof enough of that point — and to contend for Best XI honors.

In 1,389 regular-season minutes, she scored five goals and added 10 assists. Her 15-goal contribution is tied for fifth in the league as of September 4, 2024. Those 10 assists are well ahead of the six each from second-place Sophia Smith and Temwa Chawinga, and she tied USWNT icon Tobin Heath for the single-season NWSL record, set by Heath in 2016.

The Spirit will understandably take a cautious approach to Bethune’s rehabilitation. The midfielder suffered three ACL tears during her time in high school and college, a fact that may explain why two teams passed on her in the 2024 draft. When announcing her injury, Washington made it clear that she will remain with the team during her recovery and will work closely with the Spirit Performance, Medical and Innovation department.