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During the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media post in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance undecided.

The following day, her writing was shared completely by a different media outlet, providing broader attention.

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

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory seems largely fine—audience numbers have increased every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that ban is thought to affect only 20 or so grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, 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 currently play in the league. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Real Damage

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the league imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly bans transgender athletes from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a wave of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Facing the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly hindered the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a concern. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, a player Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, despite players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to fine a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.