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During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial social media statement in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's future stance unclear.

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

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

Her piece generally argued for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to preserve “the integrity of women's sports.”

Examining the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, 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 grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought to affect only 20 or so grassroots participants out of millions soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league welcomed its thousandth player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Damage

The article is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to take over the NWSL at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players competing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the things written for a multitude of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the league's momentum and compromised its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to stop discrimination.
• Player care is a further issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though players were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head allegedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and country where they made their careers.

Transgender players 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.