Ceremonial First Pitch Causes Season-Ending Injury

Soccer star Croix Bethune got a little more than she bargained for while throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Nationals MLB game late last month, and now her soccer season is over. 

Bethune's National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team Washington Spirit confirmed the news in a blog post, while the teams coach Jonatan Giráldez told reporters the exact cause, revealing that she had torn her meniscus throwing out the pitch. 

Related: Jason Kelce Reveals His Two Favorite Characteristics About Wife Kylie

"She had a problem making the first pitch in the baseball game," Giráldez said. "She is not going to be available this season. It is part of life. You have to keep going."

very cool moment ????@CroixBethune threw out the first pitch at the @Nationals' game tonight! pic.twitter.com/C4MIWzsLLW

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) August 29, 2024

Bethune was at the game alongside several of her fellow 2024 Olympians, who were being honored for bringing home the Gold in women's soccer. While the midfielder appeared to have a blast throwing out the pitch, an injury evidently set in somewhere in the process. 

The 2024 NWSL regular season ends November 3, with the playoff final scheduled for November 23. The Washington Spirit is currently second in the league, with a 12–4–2 record.