Washington Spirit rookie midfielder Croix Bethune will miss the rest of the season after apparently suffering a knee injury while throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game. The Spirit announced that Bethune, who was part of the U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Paris, has a torn meniscus and will not play again in 2024 as she rehabs the injury. Bethune, the third overall pick in the NWSL draft, has five goals and 10 assists in 17 games. She did not travel with the team for their last game and Spirit coach Jonatan Giráldez confirmed that she will not be available for the rest of the season. Bethune was honored alongside Spirit teammates and fellow Olympians before the Nationals game, where she appeared to grimace slightly while walking off the mound after throwing the pitch. Giráldez expressed disappointment at the situation and emphasized the need to keep moving forward. Despite the setback, Bethune remains a promising young talent in the league and will focus on her recovery for next season.
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