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During the end of October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first online statement in almost two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly dropped its inclusion policy for transgender and intersex players, leaving the league's position unclear.

The following day, her opinion piece was shared in full by a different publication, providing broader exposure.

“I worry 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 fairness of women's sports.”

Questioning the Real Threat

It remains uncertain how Eddy believes the league's integrity has been harmed—either under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The league, 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 female football scene.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—audience numbers have grown every season, and expansion to sixteen clubs is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's recent ban on trans players as a positive example. However, that restriction is thought to impact only 20 or so grassroots players out of millions soccer players. The effect in the United States would likely be equally negligible.

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

Unfounded Fears and Actual Harm

The article is written as if there is a pipeline of transgender athletes set to dominate the league at a moment's notice. This is not the case. At present, there are no openly transgender players playing at a elite level in the US. National laws expressly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in university sports. Additionally, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cis athletes.

Without of openly transgender individuals, transphobic attacks have continued along racial lines. When a club's Barbra Banda was named player of the year, she faced a wave of digital harassment. The league was slow to respond in defending their key athlete. Similarly, Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced comparable mistreatment.

“The piece does not represent for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden told the media. “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 Pressing Issues Confronting the League

Even if one were to ignore these points and believe that trans inclusion represents a genuine issue for the league, it's hard to see how it would surpass multiple of different challenges that have actually hindered the league's momentum and affected its integrity.

• Working conditions for staff continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the league, alleging bias based on race and ability, unwanted advances, and failure to prevent prejudice.
• Athlete welfare is a further area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. The match resumed, even though players were visibly distraught. The players' association called on the league to review their medical protocols.
• Severe climate guidelines have also been challenged. During a nationally televised match, the NWSL commissioner reportedly warned to penalize a club over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Financial competition from European leagues like the Women's Super League is growing, attracting some of the NWSL's best players away from the NWSL and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes 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.