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On the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media post in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position unclear.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by a different media outlet, providing broader exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

The article generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—audience numbers have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the Football Association'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 registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a professional level in the United States. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a wave of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the things written for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is another issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite teammates were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.