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During the end of October, ACFC 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 discreetly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared completely by a different media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—viewership have increased each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought 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 minimal.

In 2021, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to dominate the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly bans transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they made their careers.

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