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During late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her writing was shared in full by a different media outlet, giving it wider exposure.

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

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

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—audience numbers have grown every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is thought to impact only 20 or so grassroots participants out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be equally minimal.

In 2021, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently play in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's only two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We disagree with the things written for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Facing the League

Regardless if one were to overlook all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain a problem. 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 prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly warned to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.