Female Soccer Confronts Serious Threats, So Why the Panic About Trans Athletes?

During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, making the league's future stance unclear.

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

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

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

Questioning the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been harmed—whether under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The league, now in its 13th season, has developed a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears largely fine—audience numbers have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the Football Association's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. However, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of millions registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's policy of inclusion took effect, there were a couple transgender athletes: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no out trans players currently compete in the NWSL. On the 2025 season's opening weekend, the NWSL welcomed its 1,000th player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a pipeline of trans players set to take over the NWSL imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the US. Federal legislation expressly bans transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was painfully slow in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced comparable abuse.

“The piece does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Additional Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

Regardless if one were to ignore these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have actually hindered the league's momentum and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to stop discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite players were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly threatened to fine a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting top talent away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.