Behind Croix Bethune’s smile is a story of resilience

⚽ Budding women’s soccer star Croix Bethune’s story is one of pure grit. In collaboration with our friends at Invisalign®, we’re sharing the stories behind your favorite athletes’ smiles, starting with Invisalign’s three Game Changers: Bethune, flag football legend Diana Flores, and NCAA basketball icon Flau’jae Johnson.

• Bethune’s smile is a reflection of her resilience, focus, and most of all, self-investment — let’s celebrate her Invisalign Game Changer story.

👋 Name: Croix Bethune

💪 Occupation: Attacking midfielder, Washington Spirit

🎂 Birthday: March 14, 2001

🏆 Accolades: Olympic gold medalist (2024), NWSL Rookie of the Year (2024), NWSL Midfielder of the Year (2024)

🎆 Croix Bethune burst onto the women’s soccer scene in 2024, first snagging the spotlight as the No. 3 overall pick in the NWSL Draft. She notched 10 assists in her rookie season, tying a league record the legendary Tobin Heath had held since 2016.

• Her stellar start caught the attention of the USWNT just in time for the Paris Olympics. Bethune was originally named an alternate, but a teammate’s injury opened a spot on the main roster, and Bethune made her Olympic debut against Australia on July 31st.

• And that debut ended in gilded fashion — the USWNT won the gold medal in Paris on August 10th, their first since 2012.

😱 Back stateside after the Olympics, she was set back. On August 28th — with two months of the NWSL season remaining — Bethune tore her meniscus throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game, ending her incredible rookie campaign at just 17 games.

• Despite missing the latter half of the season, Bethune was still named the 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year and the first-ever NWSL Midfielder of the Year. And that’s on dominance.

💪 Bethune is leading with confidence and authenticity to change the women’s soccer world from within, and self-investment is part of those efforts. Here’s how Bethune is becoming the best version of herself on and off the field:.

🎳 Going on solo dates — especially bowling. Bethune fell in love with bowling thanks to her grandma and uses the game to sharpen her focus.

🐕 Spending time outside with her dog to connect with nature and stay emotionally present.

🦷 Taking care of her oral health…because being physically and mentally prepared starts with a strong, confident smile.

Watch Bethune’s full Invisalign Game Changers video at the link above and if you’re curious about upgrading your smile, take the Invisalign Oral Health Scan today.