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During the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media statement in almost two years. In it, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance unclear.

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

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. However, that ban is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of millions soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore all that and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have truly blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite teammates were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Transgender players did not factor into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.