Croix Bethune’s head-turning rookie season got here to an abrupt finish when she suffered a torn meniscus whereas throwing out the primary pitch at a Washington Nationals recreation final week.
The damage would require surgical procedure and can land Bethune on the season-ending damage record, the Washington Spirit stated Wednesday.
Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez stated the damage occurred throughout the ceremonial first pitch.
“She had an issue making the primary pitch within the baseball recreation,” he stated, based on the Related Press. “She will not be going to be out there this season. It’s a part of life. It’s a must to maintain going.”
Croix Bethune will miss the rest of the 2024 season with damage.
We’re wishing you a wholesome restoration, Croix! Sending our love and help your means 🫶https://t.co/6gn2kqiIC1
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 4, 2024
The 23-year-old packed extra accomplishments in her first half-year as an expert than many gamers squeeze right into a full profession. Bethune was chosen third within the 2023 NWSL Draft, with Washington buying and selling defensive anchor Sam Staab to acquire the decide. It paid off swiftly as she grew to become an immediate starter within the wake of Ashley Sanchez’s departure through a commerce on the identical day. Bethune took residence NWSL Rookie of the Month honors in March/April, Could and June; no different participant had beforehand gained the award in back-to-back months, a lot much less three in a row.
The robust kind for her membership helped her land on america girls’s nationwide group, first as a coaching participant for Emma Hayes’ first camp in June and making her debut in a July tune-up pleasant earlier than being named as an alternate for the 2024 Olympics. An damage to Jaedyn Shaw noticed Bethune get promoted to the 18-player squad, the place she made one look from the bench because the USWNT returned to gold-medal standing.
Regardless of this knee damage, Bethune nonetheless initiatives as the favourite to take residence NWSL Rookie of the 12 months — if the litany of month-to-month honors wasn’t sufficient proof towards that time — and problem for a Finest XI honor.
In 1,389 common season minutes, she scored 5 objectives and logged 10 assists. Her 15 aim contributions is tied for fifth within the league as of Sept. 4, 2024. These 10 assists are far forward of joint second-ranked Sophia Smith and Temwa Chawinga’s six, and had her tied with USWNT icon Tobin Heath for the NWSL’s single-season file, which Heath set in 2016.
The Spirit will understandably take a cautious method to Bethune’s rehabilitation. The midfielder suffered three ACL tears throughout her time in highschool and faculty, a truth which will clarify why two groups handed on her within the 2024 Draft. In saying her damage, Washington clarified that she is going to stay with the group all through her restoration, working carefully with the Spirit Efficiency, Medical and Innovation division.
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(Picture: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Photos)