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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media post in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was republished in full by another publication, giving it wider exposure.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to protect “the integrity of female athletics.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—viewership have increased each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought to impact only approximately twenty amateur participants out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Harm

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players playing at a professional level in the United States. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore these points and think that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, despite players were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

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