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On the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her first online statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different publication, giving it broader exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory seems largely strong—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to impact only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Real Harm

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a problem. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly threatened to fine a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.