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On the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the league's future stance unclear.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by a different publication, giving it broader attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a ban on transgender players from the NWSL to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—whether under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global female football landscape.

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

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought to impact only approximately twenty grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Real Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have actually hindered the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from European leagues 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.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.