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On the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her first online statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished completely by another publication, giving it broader attention.

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its growth,” stated Eddy.

Her piece generally argued for a ban on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty grassroots players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently play in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its thousandth participant. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“That article does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite players were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.