Women's Soccer Faces Significant Challenges, So Why the Panic About Transgender Players?

During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her initial online statement in nearly two years. Within her message, she responded to news that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for trans and intersex athletes, leaving the league's future stance undecided.

The next day, her writing was republished completely by a different media outlet, providing wider attention.

“I'm concerned that lacking clear guidelines about the league's intended participants, it will lose its identity and its momentum,” stated Eddy.

The article broadly advocated for a prohibition on transgender players from the league to protect “the integrity of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy believes the NWSL's credibility has been harmed—either under its previous guidelines that allowed transgender players or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an integral part of the worldwide women's soccer scene.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—audience numbers have increased each year, and growth to 16 teams is scheduled for 2026.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy cites the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so grassroots participants out of 5.5 million registered athletes. The impact in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

Two years ago, when the NWSL's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two transgender athletes: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the current season's first matchdays, the NWSL celebrated its 1,000th player. That's only two openly transgender individuals out of more than a thousand in league history.

Baseless Fears and Real Harm

Eddy's piece is written as if there is a pipeline of trans players ready to dominate 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. National laws explicitly bans trans players from participating in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, multiple scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of out trans people, transphobic attacks have persisted along ethnic divisions. When a club's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she faced a surge of digital harassment. The NWSL was slow to respond in defending their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar abuse.

“That article does not speak for this team in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We disagree with the things written for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and prejudiced as well.”

Additional Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would outrank any number of other issues that have actually blunted the growth and affected its reputation.

• Employment standards for professionals continue to be a problem. Six former club employees are taking legal action against the club and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, sexual harassment, and negligence to prevent discrimination.
• Athlete welfare is another issue. In May, a player Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match continued, despite teammates were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to revisit their health procedures.
• Extreme weather protocols have also been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly warned to penalize a club over a disagreement in hot weather policies.
• Financial rivalry 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.

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