🔗 Share this article

During late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in almost two years. In it, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex players, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another publication, giving it broader attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the NWSL to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been harmed—whether under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The league, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum seems largely fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a success story. However, that ban is believed to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

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

Unfounded Fears and Actual 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 competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a surge of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the League

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play continued, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly warned to penalize a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.