Olympic gold medalist Croix Bethune withdraws from the NWSL season after throwing the first pitch at an MLB game.

The rest of the National Women's Soccer League season will see Croix Bethune on the sidelines.

In January's NWSL Draft, the 23-year-old was chosen by the Washington Spirit. This season, she has scored five goals and made 10 assists in 17 games. Recently, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals' game against the New York Yankees.

Bethune appeared to grimace slightly as she walked off the mound.

The rookie tore her meniscus in her knee, which means she will not be able to participate in any of the club's remaining nine games of the 2024 season. She will undergo rehabilitation for the injury.

On Sunday, the 1-1 draw against the San Diego Wave did not include Bethune as part of the team.

"Jonatan Giráldez, the Spirit coach, stated after the baseball game that the player had difficulty making the first pitch and would not be available this season. He added, 'It's part of life. You have to keep going.'"

At Nationals Park on August 28, Bethune was recognized alongside Spirit teammates and fellow Olympians Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, and Hal Hershfelt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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