USWNT’s Croix Bethune Suffers Injury While Throwing First Pitch at MLB Game

Cross Bethune, midfielder for the Washington Spirit and member of the U.S. women’s national team, will not participate for the rest of the 2024 NWSL season due to a significant injury. The club confirmed on Wednesday that Bethune has sustained a season-ending torn meniscus.

The injury reportedly occurred last week when Bethune threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game. This event was part of a celebration to honor the Spirit’s four Olympians, who had just returned from Paris after winning gold.

In an official statement, the Spirit provided limited details, confirming that Bethune, who made history by tying the NWSL single-season record with her ninth assist in a recent 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Current on August 25, has been placed on the season-ending injury list.

Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez disclosed after a match on Sunday that Bethune had missed the Spirit’s 1-1 draw against the San Diego Wave due to the injury incurred during the Nationals game. He commented, “She had a problem making the first pitch… We will report about exactly what she has, but she is not going to be available this season. It’s bad, bad news, but in the end, it’s part of life. We have to keep going.”

Bethune’s season now concludes with impressive statistics. The Georgia native was not only a frontrunner for the NWSL Rookie of the Year award but also a strong contender for league MVP. With five goals and ten assists after being selected as the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL College Draft, she had made a significant impact during her rookie season.

Her outstanding performance did not go unnoticed. New USWNT coach Emma Hayes included Bethune in a pre-Olympic camp, recognizing her talents and potential. Eventually, Bethune earned a place as an alternate for the Olympic squad. With teammate Jaedyn Shaw sidelined due to a quad strain during the tournament, Bethune found herself on the matchday roster and even participated in the team’s victory over Australia during the group stages, contributing to the team’s success that earned them a gold medal.

The loss of Bethune for the remainder of the season is significant for the Spirit as they head into the final stretch of regular games and possible playoff matches. Her absence will be felt not just in the statistics but also in the team’s performance and dynamics on the field.

As the season approaches its conclusion, the Spirit will have to adapt and strategize in Bethune’s absence, hoping that her recovery goes smoothly for the future. The team will aim to leverage the skills and contributions of other players to fill the void left by Bethune’s unfortunate injury.

While the club and fans may be disappointed by the news, they will be looking forward to her return in the future seasons, hoping that this setback will not diminish her promising career in women’s soccer.

Source: USA Today