Female Soccer Confronts Significant Challenges, So Why the Panic About Transgender Players?

On the end of October, ACFC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online post in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, making the league's position unclear.

The next day, her writing was republished completely by a different publication, providing broader exposure.

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

The article generally argued for a ban on transgender players from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Real Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the league's credibility has been harmed—whether under its former policy that allowed transgender players or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear brand. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the global women's soccer landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly fine—viewership have grown each year, and growth to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Data

Eddy cites the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a positive example. However, that ban is thought to impact only 20 or so grassroots participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's policy of inclusion was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the league. On the 2025 season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th participant. That's just two out trans players out of more than a thousand in league history.

Unfounded Fears and Actual Damage

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes ready to dominate the league imminently. There is no such thing. There are currently no out trans players playing at a professional level in the US. National laws explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in university sports. Additionally, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along racial lines. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of online abuse. The league was painfully slow in defending their star player. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden informed the media. “We disagree with the content for a multitude of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Issues Facing the League

Even if one were to overlook these points and believe that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly hindered the growth and compromised its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff remain a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the club and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, and failure to stop prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King collapsed on the pitch, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, despite teammates were visibly upset. The players' association called on the league to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather guidelines have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry from leagues abroad like the WSL is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.