Forged On The Fields Of England

When I read that Croix Bethune’s love affair with football started at just three years old, I picture tiny Croix ingeniously scaling the side of her crib, determined to escape her confinement. With her little hands gripping the bars, she’d be pulling herself over, dreaming of freedom in hopes of reaching her ball. Born on March 14, 2001, to Richard and Jean Bethune, both members of the United States Air Force, she could dribble a football before she could tie her shoelaces. Bethune attributes her most of her traits and values to her military upbringing. She shared with The Washington Post, “In addition to structure, I feel like my parents have raised me in a way to be respectful, not just to elders but to anyone.” This sense of respect, combined with her parent’s military background, has also had a significant impact on her football career.

By the tender age of four, she was already slicing through imaginary defenders with the grace of a seasoned pro. When she was five, her family moved to England, unknowingly placing a future football star in the heartland of the game. However, in a country renowned for its footballing heritage, she faced a small hurdle: a lack of girls’ teams. Undeterred, she bravely joined a boys’ team, matching and often outshining her teammates on the pitch. This early immersion in navigating muddy fields and intense matches was more than just play; it was a grueling challenge that shaped her into the player she is today. By the time her family returned to the U.S., football was as natural to her as breathing—an innate talent honed on the rugged fields of England. This unique start on pitches across the pond laid the foundation for her fearless approach to the game.