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On late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media post in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was shared completely by a different publication, providing wider attention.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

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

Examining the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly fine—audience numbers have grown every season, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is thought to impact only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently play in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to dominate the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed research have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

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

“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the NWSL

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

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly threatened to penalize a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes did not factor into a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.