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On the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in almost two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position unclear.

The following day, her writing was republished completely by another media outlet, giving it broader exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

Her piece generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that permitted transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems largely fine—viewership have increased each year, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. Yet, that ban is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Damage

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to dominate the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws explicitly bans transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL 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 represent for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been questioned. 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 league and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes did not factor into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.