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During the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online post in nearly two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the league's position undecided.

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

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will lose its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

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

Questioning the Real Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—whether under its previous guidelines that permitted transgender players or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established 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 largely strong—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that restriction is thought to impact only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of 5.5 million soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the NWSL celebrated its thousandth participant. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Unfounded Concerns and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is written 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. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly bans trans players from competing in university sports. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed research have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have actually hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for professionals remain a concern. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the team and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, a player Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, even though players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and nation where they made their careers.

Transgender players were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.