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During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the league's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished completely by a different media outlet, providing broader attention.

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a ban on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly fine—viewership have increased each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently play in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. National laws expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly blunted the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match resumed, despite players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring top talent away from the NWSL 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.