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During late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the league's position unclear.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by another media outlet, giving it wider exposure.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

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

Questioning the Real Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—viewership have grown each year, and expansion to 16 teams is planned for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that restriction is thought to impact only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Damage

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Confronting the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have truly hindered the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, despite teammates were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly warned to penalize a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.