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On the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first social media post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the NWSL had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex players, making the league's position undecided.

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

“I worry that without clarity about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—viewership have increased every season, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that restriction is believed to affect only approximately twenty grassroots players out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently play in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to take over the NWSL imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly prohibits trans players from participating in university sports. Additionally, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and believe that trans inclusion 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 growth and compromised its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

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