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During the end of October, ACFC athlete Elizabeth Eddy made her first online statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the organization's future stance undecided.

The following day, her opinion piece was republished in full by a different media outlet, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity 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 female athletics.”

Examining the Real Risk

It remains uncertain how Eddy thinks the NWSL's integrity has been damaged—whether under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a distinct identity. It's highly competitive, influential in business and culture, and an integral part of the worldwide female football landscape.

The league's momentum appears mostly fine—viewership have grown every season, and growth to sixteen clubs is planned for the coming years.

Analyzing the Data

Eddy references the English FA's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. Yet, that ban is believed to impact only approximately twenty amateur players out of 5.5 million soccer players. The effect in the US would likely be similarly minimal.

In 2021, when the league's trans inclusion policy was implemented, there were two trans players: one player and Kumi Yokoyama. They have both departed, and no openly transgender athletes presently compete in the league. On the current season's opening weekend, the league celebrated its thousandth participant. That's just two out trans players out of over 1,000 in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Fears and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to take over the league imminently. This is not the case. There are currently no openly transgender players competing at a professional level in the US. National laws expressly bans trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Additionally, multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no biological advantages over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded player of the year, she experienced a wave of online abuse. The league was slow to respond in supporting their star player. Likewise, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister have experienced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not represent for our club in this locker room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told the media. “We disagree with the things written for a plethora of reasons, but primarily the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well.”

Other Urgent Problems Facing the League

Regardless if one were to overlook these points and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of other issues that have truly hindered the league's momentum and compromised its reputation.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave 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.
• Player care is another issue. In spring, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. The match resumed, despite players were clearly distraught. The NWSLPA called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the league head reportedly threatened to penalize a team over a disagreement in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is increasing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they built their professional lives.

Transgender players were not involved into a single one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes come to pass.