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On late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media post in almost two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her writing was republished in full by another publication, providing wider exposure.

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Real Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems largely strong—viewership have grown each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that ban is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently play in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a wave of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have actually blunted the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, even though players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

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