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On the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance undecided.

The following day, her writing was republished in full by a different media outlet, giving it broader exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated 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 league's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football landscape.

The league's momentum seems largely strong—viewership have grown every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty amateur participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly prohibits trans players from participating in university sports. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club 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 mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Facing the League

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

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly warned to penalize a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they made their careers.

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