🔗 Share this article

On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media statement in almost two years. In it, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, making the league's position undecided.

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

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes 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 clear brand. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the global female football scene.

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

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the US would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Fears and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to dominate the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed research 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 a club's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Facing the League

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and think that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, despite players were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.