Women's Soccer Confronts Serious Threats, Yet Why the Alarm About Trans Players?
On late October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in almost two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the NWSL had quietly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.
The following day, her writing was shared completely by another publication, providing broader attention.
“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its character and its growth,” Eddy wrote.
The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the league to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”
Examining the Actual Risk
It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.
Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—viewership have grown each year, and expansion 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. Yet, that ban is believed to impact only 20 or so grassroots participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The effect in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.
Two years ago, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players currently play in the league. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's just 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 transgender athletes ready to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cis athletes.
In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.
“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”
Additional Urgent Issues Confronting the NWSL
Regardless if one were to overlook all that and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would outrank multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and compromised its integrity.
- Working conditions for professionals continue to be a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
- Athlete welfare is a further issue. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, even though players were visibly upset. The players' association called on the NWSL to revisit their medical protocols.
- Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly warned to fine a team over a dispute in hot weather policies.
- Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.
Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.