After winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune was chosen to throw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals vs. New York Yankees game, which took place on August 28 at Nationals Park.
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However, unfortunately news has come out, that this led to her season being over because of an injury sustained while on the mound.
very cool moment 🥇@CroixBethune threw out the first pitch at the @Nationals' game tonight! pic.twitter.com/C4MIWzsLLW
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) August 29, 2024
Although from watching it live, there didn't appear to be any problems, later it was revealed that while throwing the pitch, Bethune tweaked her knee. Which according to the team officials resulted in her coming down with a season-ending torn meniscus.
"She had a problem making the first pitch in the baseball game," Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez said to reporters. "She is not going to be available this season. It is part of life. You have to keep going."
In view of her young soccer career, she has turned heads ever since being selected third overall in the 2024 National Women's Soccer League Draft. To note, Bethune won Rookie of the Month honors for the fourth time in five months (March/April, May, June, August), setting a NWSL record.
The 23-year-old has scored five goals and contributed 10 assists, playing in all 17 of the regular games through August. To note, this will be a big loss for the team as she played 1,389 out of a possible 1,530 minutes for the Spirit this season (per washingtonspirit.com).
At the 2024 Paris Games, Bethune was named an alternate, helping the United States win their fifth USWNT Olympic gold medal (1996, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2024).
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