May 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Angel City FC defender Sarah Gorden (captain) (11) dribbles the ball during the first half of a soccer game against the Utah Royals at BMO Stadium.

On Tuesday, Angel City FC disavowed an op-ed on transgender athletes written by defender Elizabeth Eddy.

Two days later, Angel City captain Sarah Gorden eviscerated it.

In an emotional and angry statement on Thursday, Gorden called the op-ed "racist" and "transphobic," adding that the Angel City locker room was "disgusted" by it.

Eddy's article was published in the New York Post this week. The veteran defender called for all NWSL players to either have been born with ovaries, or potentially submit to gene testing.

The argument has been utilized across almost every sport and level in recent years, with proponents claiming it levels the playing field and opponents saying that it's unnecessary, intrusive and targets vulnerable members of the community.

Gorden made it clear at a press conference on Thursday that she and her teammates fall into the latter camp.

"That article does not speak for this team," she said. "In this locker room, I've had a lot of convos with my teammates in the past few days. They are hurt and they are harmed by the article, and also they are disgusted by some of the things that were said in the article."

Gorden also took exception to the editorial choice to use a photo of Orlando Pride star Barbra Banda with Eddy's article.

Banda, who is a Black cisgender woman, has been subject to abuse over her gender identity.

"We don't agree with the things written for a plethora of reasons, but mostly the undertones come across as transphobic and racist as well. The article calls for genetic testing on certain players, and it has a photo of an African player as a headline, and that's very harmful. And to me it's inherently racist, because to single out this community based on them looking or being different is absolutely a problem.

"As a mixed woman with Black family, I'm devastated by the undertones of this article, and I feel very protective of my teammates and this community who are also hurt by this. That includes staff and everyone who is a supporter and a fan. There are players in this league and in this locker room that are directly harmed by what was written in the article.

"For that, I just want to say I am so so sorry for anyone hurt by this, or anyone harmed by this. And please know that I do speak for the team when I say we do support you."

Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson spoke after Gorden, adding her belief that the article did not represent the values of the team and the city of Los Angeles.

"For me personally, when I think of LA and I think of Angel City, I think of a place that was founded upon inclusivity and love for all people," Anderson said.

"That's what our locker room is, that's what our staff is, that's what our fan base is. Angel City is a place for everyone. It always will be. That's how it was from the beginning. That's how it always will be, period."

Eddy has played just 87 total minutes across three seasons with Angel City, including no appearances in 2025. Her contract expires at the end of the 2025 season, which will conclude on Sunday for Angel City.

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: Angel City captain Gorden slams teammate Eddy for 'transphobic' op-ed

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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