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On late October, Angel City FC athlete Elizabeth Eddy posted her first social media statement in nearly two years. In it, she addressed reports that the National Women's Soccer League had discreetly abandoned its policy of inclusion for transgender and intersex athletes, making the organization's position unclear.

The next day, her opinion piece was republished completely by another media outlet, giving it wider attention.

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

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

Questioning the Actual Threat

It's unclear how Eddy believes the league's credibility has been harmed—either under its former policy that permitted trans athletes or its current absence of policy. The organization, now in its thirteenth year, has developed a clear identity. It's extremely contested, commercially and culturally powerful, and an essential part of the worldwide female football landscape.

Its growth trajectory appears mostly strong—audience numbers have increased every season, and expansion to 16 teams is scheduled for the coming years.

Examining the Evidence

Eddy references the Football Association's new prohibition on transgender athletes as a success story. However, that restriction is believed to affect only 20 or so amateur 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 took effect, there were two trans players: Quinn and Kumi Yokoyama. Both have since left, and no openly transgender athletes currently compete in the NWSL. On the current season's opening weekend, the league welcomed its 1,000th player. That's only two out trans players out of more than a thousand in the NWSL's existence.

Baseless Concerns and Real Harm

The article is written as if there is a stream of trans players set to take over the league imminently. There is no such thing. At present, there are no out trans players competing at a professional level in the United States. National laws explicitly prohibits transgender athletes from competing in NCAA college soccer. Moreover, numerous scientifically reviewed studies have demonstrated that trans athletes have no inherent physical edge over cisgender competitors.

In the absence of out trans people, transphobic attacks have continued along ethnic divisions. When Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda was awarded a top honor, she faced a surge of online abuse. The NWSL was slow to respond in supporting their key athlete. Similarly, another team's Temwa Chawinga and her sister faced similar mistreatment.

“That article does not speak for our club in our dressing room,” Angel City FC captain Sarah Gorden informed reporters. “We don't agree with the things written for a plethora of causes, but mostly the undertones come across as discriminatory against trans people and racist as well.”

Other Pressing Problems Confronting the NWSL

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

• Working conditions for professionals continue to be a problem. Several ex- San Diego Wave employees are suing the team and the NWSL, alleging racial and disability discrimination, unwanted advances, and negligence to stop discrimination.
• Player care is a further area of concern. In May, Angel City defender Savy King fell on the field, requiring emergency medical treatment. On-field play continued, even though players were visibly upset. The NWSLPA called on the league to revisit their medical protocols.
• Extreme weather guidelines have also been questioned. During a broadcast match, the league head reportedly warned to penalize a team over a dispute in extreme heat procedures.
• Economic competition from leagues abroad like the WSL is growing, luring top talent away from the league and country where they built their professional lives.

Trans athletes did not factor into any one of these challenges. And it's unlikely they will, regardless of whether Eddy's suggestions are implemented.