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During the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media statement in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the league's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either 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 identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum appears largely fine—viewership have increased every season, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players presently play in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Several ex- club employees are suing the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, 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. The match continued, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

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