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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in nearly two years. In it, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the league's position unclear.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by a different media outlet, providing wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

The article generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its former policy that permitted transgender players or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly strong—audience numbers have increased each year, and growth to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty amateur participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

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

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly prohibits trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore all that and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have actually hindered the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, despite players were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.