Croix Bethune, a midfielder for the Washington Spirit and member of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning soccer team, will miss the remainder of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season due to a torn meniscus she sustained while throwing a ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game on August 28. Coach Jonatan Giráldez confirmed the injury occurred during the pitch and stated, 'She is not going to be available this season. It is part of life. You have to keep going.' Bethune was honored at the game alongside fellow Olympians from the Spirit, including Trinity Rodman and Casey Krueger. In her rookie season, Bethune recorded five goals and a league-leading ten assists in 17 matches. This injury ends what has been a promising season for the 23-year-old, who was the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.