USWNT rising star Croix Bethune tears meniscus, will miss rest of Washington Spirit's NWSL season

Washington Spirit rookie midfielder and U.S. women's national team gold medalist Croix Bethune was placed on the season-ending injury list after a torn meniscus, the club announced on Wednesday. She will miss the remainder of the 2024 NWSL season with just eight weeks remaining as she rehabs the injury that she sustained away from training last week. 

The third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft out of Georgia, Bethune has dominated headlines in her rookie season with the Spirit. She's scored five goals and recorded 10 assists in just 17 Games this year. Her 10 assists match the all-time single-season record, originally set by USWNT forward Tobin Heath in 2016 when Heath played with the Portland Thorns. Bethune's performances earned her early rookie of the year praise and she was named to the NWSL Best XI and has been NWSL Rookie of the Month for three consecutive months between April and June.

Bethune's accelerated play in the league also earned her call-ups with the senior national team. She featured as a training camp player before being named as an alternate by head coach EMMA Hayes to the U.S. women's Olympic roster. She earned her first senior cap during the national team send-off match against Mexico and was later named to the full Olympic roster during the USWNT group stage. Her matchday presence in group play earned her a gold medal with USA.