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During late October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by a different publication, providing wider attention.

“I worry that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the league's integrity has been harmed—either under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws explicitly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and think that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have actually blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a problem. Several ex- club employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly threatened to penalize a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.