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On late October, Angel City FC 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 abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by another media outlet, providing broader attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

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

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory seems largely fine—viewership have increased each year, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its thousandth participant. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to dominate the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook all that and think 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.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Player care is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, even though players were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, attracting top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Transgender players were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.