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On the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance unclear.

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

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems largely strong—audience numbers have grown each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth participant. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Damage

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players playing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the things written for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook all that and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to stop discrimination.
• Player care is a further area of concern. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, even though players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly warned to fine a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.