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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different media outlet, giving it broader exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its growth,” stated Eddy.

The article broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the league's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—viewership have increased each year, and expansion to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion took effect, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a wave of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and think that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain a concern. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, even though players were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.