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On the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's position unclear.

The following day, her writing was republished completely 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 broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—whether under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—viewership have increased each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players currently play in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the United States. National laws explicitly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed 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.”

Other Urgent Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes 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 compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly warned to fine a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, 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 a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.