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During the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media 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 trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared completely by a different media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

The article generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its present lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—audience numbers have grown every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur players out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Fears and Real Harm

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. National laws expressly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a concern. Six former club employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial 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 did not factor into any one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.