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During the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media post in nearly two years. In it, she responded to news that the NWSL had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, leaving the league's position unclear.

The next day, her writing was shared completely by another publication, giving it wider exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its character and its growth,” stated Eddy.

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

Examining the Actual Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear brand. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

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

Examining the Data

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

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, 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 comparable abuse.

“That article does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Urgent Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a genuine issue for the league, 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 continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Player care is another issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, despite teammates were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly threatened to fine a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.