🔗 Share this article

During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media post in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different publication, providing wider attention.

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems largely fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that ban is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Damage

The article is framed as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In May, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.