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On the end of October, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy made her initial online statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had quietly abandoned its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, making the organization's future stance undecided.

The following day, her writing was shared in full by another publication, giving it wider attention.

“I'm concerned that without clarity about the league's intended participants, it will sacrifice its character and its momentum,” Eddy wrote.

Her piece broadly advocated for a prohibition on trans athletes from the NWSL to preserve “the fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Actual Risk

It's unclear how Eddy thinks the league's integrity has been harmed—whether under its previous guidelines that allowed trans athletes or its present lack of one. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has established a clear identity. It's highly competitive, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the global female football scene.

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

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on transgender athletes as a success story. Yet, that ban is thought to affect only approximately twenty amateur players out of millions registered athletes. The effect in the US would likely be similarly negligible.

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

Unfounded Concerns and Real Damage

Eddy's piece is framed as if there is a stream of trans players ready to dominate the league imminently. This is not the case. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a elite level in the United States. Federal legislation explicitly prohibits trans players from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that transgender players have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

Without of out trans people, discriminatory behavior have persisted along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The NWSL was painfully slow in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable abuse.

“That article does not represent for this team in our dressing room,” team leader Sarah Gorden told reporters. “We don't agree with the content for a multitude of causes, but primarily the implications come across as discriminatory against trans people and prejudiced as well.”

Other Urgent Issues Facing the League

Regardless if one were to overlook all that and think that including transgender athletes constitutes a real problem for the NWSL, it's difficult to see how it would surpass any number of different challenges that have truly hindered the growth and affected its integrity.

• Employment standards for staff continue to be a concern. Six former club employees are suing the club and the league, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent discrimination.
• Player care is another area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring urgent care. The match continued, even though players were clearly distraught. The players' association called on the NWSL to review their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather protocols have additionally been questioned. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner allegedly threatened to fine a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial rivalry from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, luring some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and nation where they made their careers.

Trans athletes were not involved into any one of these issues. And it's unlikely they will, irrespective of whether the proposed changes are implemented.