Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune to Miss Remainder of 2024 Season with Injury

Bethune had successful surgery to repair torn meniscus

Washington, D.C. (09/04/2024) – Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune has been placed on the season-ending injury (SEI) list and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season as she rehabs a knee injury, the club announced today. Bethune suffered a torn meniscus away from training last week and will remain with the team throughout her recovery, working closely with the Spirit Performance, Medical and Innovation department.

Bethune had a standout rookie season for the Spirit, recording five goals and ten assists in just 17 matches. Her ten assists is an all-time NWSL single season record, matching Tobin Heath’s NWSL single season record set in 2016, a mark Bethune equaled in a span of just 12 matches. In the Spirit’s home opener this season, Bethune introduced herself to the DC fans with a second half stoppage time winner against Bay FC. Less than three months later, she tallied another result-changing score, finding the back of the net in the final minute of stoppage time to draw San Diego in front of a Spirit club record 19,897 fans.

Bethune was named both the NWSL Rookie of the Month and as part of the Best XI of the Month three consecutive times to start her career, earning the honors for her performance in March/April, May and June competition. She also became the first player in league history to win Rookie of the Month in back-to-back months.

The third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft also made her debut at the senior international level this year. Because of her impressive rookie campaign, new U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) Head Coach Emma Hayes called Bethune in for the team’s June camp before naming her an alternate for the U.S. Olympic roster. Bethune played in her first match for the USWNT on Saturday, July 13 in a friendly against Mexico and was selected to the side’s matchday roster for each of its three Olympic group stage matches, earning her a gold medal.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. In 2024, the Spirit drafted an epic class of rookies who are already breaking records and wowing fans. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.