NWSL Player Sparks Debate Over Gender Standards Amid Team Backlash

Elizabeth Eddy, a standout player for Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), sparked controversy by advocating for the league to adopt "gender standards" to preserve women’s sports integrity. In a New York Post column, Eddy proposed clear eligibility rules such as requiring players to be born with ovaries or undergoing an SRY gene test, citing fairness and inclusion as core values. However, her teammates, including captains Sarah Gorden and Angelina Anderson, strongly condemned the article, describing it as transphobic and racist, and emphasizing that it does not represent their team’s views. They expressed feeling hurt and harmed by Eddy’s statements and criticized the use of a photo of an African player in the article as perpetuating harmful undertones. The dispute has drawn broader attention, with former ESPN anchor Sage Steele accusing Angel City FC and the NWSL of "cowardice" for rebuking Eddy, framing her stance as defending women’s sports. This conflict highlights the ongoing tensions within women’s sports regarding the balance between competitive fairness and inclusion of transgender athletes.