Croix Bethune’s Promising Rookie Season Cut Short by Injury
Croix Bethune’s remarkable debut season in professional soccer came to an unexpected halt when she sustained a torn meniscus while throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game last week. This unfortunate injury will necessitate surgery, ultimately leading to her placement on the season-ending injury list, as confirmed by the Washington Spirit on Wednesday.
Spirit head coach Jonatan Giráldez detailed the circumstances surrounding the injury during a press conference. “She had a problem making the first pitch in the baseball game,” he stated, as reported by the Associated Press. “She is not going to be available this season. It is part of life. You have to keep going.”
At just 23 years old, Bethune has already amassed a list of accomplishments in her initial months as a professional that many players strive for throughout their careers. Selected third overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, her team, Washington, made a strategic trade, dealing defensive stalwart Sam Staab to secure the coveted pick. This decision quickly paid off, as Bethune stepped into the starting lineup immediately following Ashley Sanchez’s trade on the same day.
Her outstanding performance on the field earned her NWSL Rookie of the Month honors for March/April, May, and June, making her the first player in history to receive the award for three consecutive months. Such a feat highlights her extraordinary impact in the league.
Bethune’s impressive form not only benefited her club but also caught the attention of the United States women’s national team (USWNT). She initially joined as a training player for Emma Hayes’ inaugural camp in June, made her debut in a friendly match in July, and was subsequently named an alternate for the upcoming 2024 Olympics. Following an injury to Jaedyn Shaw, Bethune was promoted to the 18-player squad, making a notable appearance from the bench as the USWNT reclaimed gold-medal status.
Despite the setback of her knee injury, Bethune is still a frontrunner for the NWSL Rookie of the Year award, with her string of monthly accolades serving as strong evidence for her candidacy. Additionally, she may also be in contention for a spot on the Best XI.
Throughout 1,389 regular-season minutes, Bethune tallied five goals and provided ten assists. Her total of 15 goal contributions places her tied for fifth in the league as of September 4, 2024. Notably, her ten assists significantly outpace those of her closest competitors, Sophia Smith and Temwa Chawinga, who each recorded six. In fact, Bethune’s tally had her level with USWNT legend Tobin Heath for the NWSL single-season record for assists, a mark set in 2016.
In light of Bethune’s injury history, the Spirit are understandably taking a measured approach to her rehabilitation. The midfielder has faced three ACL tears during her high school and college career, which may have influenced the decision of two teams to pass on her during the 2024 Draft. In their announcement regarding her injury, Washington emphasized that Bethune will remain with the team throughout her recovery process, collaborating closely with the Spirit’s Performance, Medical, and Innovation department.
Required reading
- Croix Bethune on her USWNT call-up, record-breaking rookie year in the NWSL, and ‘demon time’
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
