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On the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, leaving the league's position undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared in full by another media outlet, giving it broader exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the league's credibility has been damaged—either under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears largely fine—audience numbers have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a success story. Yet, that ban is thought to impact only 20 or so amateur participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be equally negligible.

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

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the league imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

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