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During late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the organization's future stance unclear.

The following day, her writing was republished in full by another media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, 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 women's sports.”

Examining the Real Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the league's credibility has been damaged—either under its former policy that permitted transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer landscape.

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

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players presently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players playing at a elite level in the United States. National laws explicitly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed research have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Six former club employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, even though players were clearly upset. The players' association called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to penalize a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the WSL is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.