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During late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex players, leaving the organization's position undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared completely by another publication, giving it broader exposure.

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

The article generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, 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 just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of trans players set 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 explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We don't agree with the things written for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a concern. Six former club employees are suing the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play 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 nationally televised match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.