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On the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed news that the NWSL had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the league's future stance unclear.

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

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about who the league is for, it will sacrifice its identity and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

The article broadly advocated for a ban on trans athletes from the league to protect “the fairness of female athletics.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its 13th season, has established a clear identity. It's extremely contested, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the global women's soccer scene.

Its growth trajectory appears largely strong—viewership have increased every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to impact only 20 or so amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were a couple trans players: Quinn 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 league welcomed its 1,000th participant. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Concerns and Actual Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a stream of trans players ready to take over the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players playing at a elite level in the United States. National laws expressly prohibits trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“The piece does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Facing the League

Even if one were to ignore all that and think that including transgender athletes represents a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have truly hindered the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Player care is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly threatened to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Economic rivalry from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

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