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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's position undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by another media outlet, providing wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

The article generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—whether under its former policy that permitted transgender players or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory seems largely fine—audience numbers have grown each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is believed to affect only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to dominate the NWSL at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed research have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “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.”

Additional Urgent Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

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