Ashlyn Harris is reflecting on a hard moment of her past.
Over a year after the soccer player separated from her ex-wife Ali Krieger—with whom she shares kids Sloane, 3, and Ocean, 2—Ashlyn detailed the unraveling that led to her divorce filing, feeling as though her perspective didn’t “play out” in the media following their breakup.
“I said, ‘Okay I love this human so much, I want to make this work,’” she recalled thinking as her former relationship took a turn for the worst on the Naked Sports with Cari Champion podcast, part of the iHeart Women’s Sports Audio Network and The Black Effect Podcast Network, Nov. 25. “‘Even though I’m sacrificing what makes me happy and seen, this is for the greater good because this is compromise.’”
The 39-year-old—who began dating Sophia Bush in October 2023—shared that her and Ali’s relationship began to feel like “business,” especially after she retired from soccer in 2022 (Ali continued to play until March 2023).
“I constantly wanted more,” Ashlyn continued. “I constantly wanted the feeling of being loved the same way I loved—I just felt like I wasn’t a priority.”
And Ashlyn even shared the “last attempt” she made to save her marriage.
“I became very good at disassociating,” the USWNT alum recollected of the time before she filed for divorce in Sept. 2023. “I started trying all of these things, I was like, ‘Let’s do an open marriage,’ and that’s just not even me.”
But while Ashlyn—who noted that the former couple’s lack of intimacy was “just the facts”—acknowledged the perception that she seemingly moved on quickly by debuting a romance with Sophia just a month after she filed for divorce from her ex, she described the separation as the “hardest thing” she’s ever had to do.
“People miss that,” Ashlyn explained. “People think only one person was in pain or people think you have to choose a side. That you have to really punish this person because the idea you had through social media didn’t manage your expectations.”
Still, Ashlyn wasn’t deflecting all of the blame, either. As she noted, “I had to take my power back, and people were hurt in that process."
E! News has reached out to reps for Ali regarding Ashlyn’s recent comments but has not yet heard back.
For Ali’s part, she recently told E! News that she wasn’t feeling “numb” anymore after her divorce, and is navigating a new, private relationship.
“[With] everything I went through last year, I want to keep that more so for me and for her,” she told E! News in September. “I think it's really important that I take this process slower, have a good concern for it and make sure that it's moving in the right direction before any big announcement.”
Ashlyn has certainly found her own happiness with Sophia, too. Keep reading for the couple’s cutest pictures together...
Pride Month Selfie
The two marked the end of their first Pride Month as a couple in June 2024 with this adorable selfie shared by the soccer star.
Cannes Selfie
While attending the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the soccer star posted this selfie with the One Tree Hill alum and basketball player Sue Bird.
Summer Celebration
In July 2023, the pair attended a watch party in Los Angeles for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Cheers
The duo was photographed cheering alongside Michelle Akers and Linda Gancitano.
Art Basel Beauties
While attending Art Basel in December 2023, Michelle Tillou shared this Instagram photo with Ashlyn and Sophia.
Award Season Style
The duo struck a pose with Eric McCormack at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in March 2024.
Group Shot
The pair also spent time with Stephanie Nguyen and Bobby Berk at the star-studded gathering.
Red Carpet Debut
Ashlyn and Sophia made their red carpet debut at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April 2024.
Late Night
Following the dinner, the couple cozied up at an after-party at the Swiss ambassador's residence.
City of Love
Sophia and Ashlyn enjoyed a romantic trip to Paris in May 2024.
Say Oui
The Chicago P.D. actress captioned this cozy-looking snapshot from a May 2024 Paris trip, "Happiness looks goo on you, baby."
J'Adore Paris
Sophia also shared this group pic from their trip to Paris in May 2024.
Holiday Travels
In fact, Ashlyn and Sophia love Paris so much they said bonjour to the city once again in December 2024.
Celebrating the Oscars
The athlete and the actress watched the 2025 Oscars at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 2025 Academy Awards viewing party.
Romantic Getaway
The couple enjoyed a trip to the mountains in May 2025.
A Night at the Gala
Dance on over to see this photo Ashlyn and Sophia took at the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala in May 2025.