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On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her writing was shared in full by a different publication, giving it broader attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

The article broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a success story. Yet, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so grassroots participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a problem. Six former club employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In spring, a player Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, despite teammates were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to fine a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.