Female Football Faces Significant Threats, So Why the Alarm About Trans Players?

On late October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial social media statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the NWSL had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance unclear.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by a different publication, providing wider exposure.

“I worry that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its character and its growth,” Eddy wrote.

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

Questioning the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that allowed trans athletes or its present absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a distinct brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an essential part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

The league's momentum seems mostly strong—audience numbers have grown every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a success story. Yet, that restriction is thought to affect only 20 or so amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no out trans players presently play in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to take over the league at a moment's notice. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to ignore all that and think that trans inclusion represents a real problem for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have actually blunted the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the NWSL to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a broadcast match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to penalize a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's improbable they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.