Female Soccer Confronts Significant Threats, Yet Why the Panic About Trans Athletes?

During late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first online post in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to reports that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her writing was republished completely by a different publication, giving it wider attention.

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

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum seems mostly fine—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to impact only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally minimal.

Two years ago, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently play in the league. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not speak for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the League

Even if one were to overlook these points and believe that trans inclusion constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would outrank any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the growth and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are suing the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, a player Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play resumed, even though players were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate protocols have additionally been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly threatened to fine a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL 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 are implemented.