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On the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by another publication, giving it wider exposure.

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

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

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

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its 1,000th player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

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

Other Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have truly blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain a concern. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is another issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.