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On the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's position undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different publication, giving it wider exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

The article generally argued for a ban on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the league'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 compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Real Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a surge of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are suing the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop discrimination.
• Player care is another issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite teammates were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement 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 NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.