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

During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first online statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she addressed news that the NWSL had discreetly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex players, making the organization's future stance unclear.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared completely by another media outlet, providing wider attention.

“I worry that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its identity and its growth,” stated Eddy.

The article generally argued for a ban on trans athletes from the league to preserve “the fairness of female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—either under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its current lack of one. The league, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

Its growth trajectory seems mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for 2026.

Examining the Data

Eddy references the English FA's new prohibition on trans players as a success story. Yet, that restriction is believed to impact only approximately twenty grassroots participants out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be similarly negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were a couple trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its thousandth player. That's just two openly transgender individuals out of over 1,000 in league history.

Unfounded Concerns and Real Harm

The article is framed as if there is a stream of transgender athletes set to take over the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players playing at a professional level in the United States. Federal legislation expressly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, numerous scientifically reviewed research have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of openly transgender individuals, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she experienced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

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

Additional Urgent Problems Confronting the NWSL

Even if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly blunted the growth and affected its reputation.

• Working conditions for staff remain a concern. Six former San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another area of concern. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. On-field play resumed, even though teammates were visibly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to penalize a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from leagues abroad like the Women's Super League is increasing, luring top talent away from the NWSL and country where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into a single one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether the proposed changes come to pass.