Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune claimed NWSL rookie of the year honors Tuesday, capping a breakout campaign in which the 23-year-old Georgia product tied the league’s assists record despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in August.
Bethune finished with 10 assists in 17 matches — equaling the NWSL’s single-season mark, and putting her three clear of any other player over the 26-game campaign. Her five goals also tied for fourth on a Spirit team that went 18-6-2 to finish second in the 14-team league and, even with Bethune’s absence, has advanced to face the Orlando Pride in the NWSL championship game Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.