Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune suffered a season-ending torn meniscus, an injury that appears to stem from her throwing out the first pitch before a Washington Nationals game.

Bethune, who was an alternate for the United States women's national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics, was honored along with other Spirit teammates before the Nationals' 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Aug. 28.

The Washington Post's Steven Goff reported the 23-year-old injured her knee while making the pitch. Goff noted she previously suffered three ACL injuries in high school and college.

In their announcement, the Spirit said only that the torn meniscus happened "away from training last week." Coach Jonatan Giráldez alluded to the cause after Sunday's 1-1 draw with San Diego Wave FC.

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

Bethune was the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL draft. She made 17 appearances for Washington and is third on the team in goals (five) while leading the league with 10 assists.

The Spirit are second in the NWSL table with 38 points, six behind the first-place Orlando Pride, and have eight matches left in the regular season.