Women's Soccer Confronts Significant Challenges, So Why the Alarm About Transgender Athletes?

On the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in almost two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its policy of inclusion for trans and intersex athletes, making the organization's position undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was republished in full by another publication, providing wider attention.

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

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

Questioning the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the NWSL's credibility has been damaged—either under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its current absence of policy. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear brand. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly strong—viewership have grown every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Analyzing the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a positive example. However, that restriction is believed to impact only 20 or so grassroots players out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

In 2021, when the NWSL'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 NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its thousandth participant. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players competing at a elite level in the US. Federal legislation explicitly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named a top honor, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The league was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for this team in this locker room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but mostly the implications come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore all that and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually blunted the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for professionals remain a problem. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Severe climate protocols have also been challenged. During a broadcast match, the league head allegedly warned to fine a club over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Transgender players did not factor into a single one of these challenges. And it's improbable they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes are implemented.