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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's position unclear.

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

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—either under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to take over the NWSL 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 bans transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a problem. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is a further issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, despite teammates were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring 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 come to pass.