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On late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media post in almost two years. In it, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, making the league's position undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared in full by another publication, providing broader attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

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

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its former policy that permitted transgender players or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a clear identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—audience numbers have grown each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is thought to affect 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 league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently play in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly bans transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of causes, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to overlook all that and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly hindered the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, despite teammates were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they made their careers.

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