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During the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to reports that the NWSL had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another publication, providing wider attention.

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

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—audience numbers have grown each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Real Damage

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of other issues that have truly blunted the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff remain a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, despite players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes did not factor into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions come to pass.