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During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media post in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the organization's position undecided.

The next day, her writing was shared in full by another media outlet, providing wider exposure.

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

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

Examining the Actual Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has developed a distinct brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum seems largely strong—viewership have grown each year, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. Yet, that restriction is believed 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 NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its 1,000th player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Issues Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for staff remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, despite teammates were clearly upset. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to penalize a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

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