Ashlyn Harris is reflecting openly on the personal changes that followed the end of her marriage to former U.S. women’s national soccer team teammate Ali Krieger. In a candid interview, the 40-year-old soccer star said she does not resent or regret the life she built with Krieger, but ultimately realized that it was not the right life for her. Harris filed for divorce in September 2023 after nearly four years of marriage. The former couple share two children: daughter Sloane, 5, and son Ocean, 3.
Harris described the divorce as the result of a long and difficult internal struggle. She said she kept trying to make the relationship work because she did not want to fail or give up, but eventually understood that staying unhappy would not serve her, her children, her friends or Krieger. She admitted that the decision was painful and that she knows it hurt her ex-wife during the process.
Following the breakup, Harris said she began the work of understanding who she is outside of the public image and brand associated with her marriage and career. She described this period as deeply transformative and said she is now in the happiest place she has ever been. Harris also said she has reached a point of self-acceptance and confidence that she had not felt in years, explaining that she now wakes up loving the person she sees in the mirror.
Harris emphasized that leaving an unfulfilling situation can be difficult, but she believes that choosing honesty and bravery can lead to a better life. She said life is too short to carry the burden of a situation that no longer fits, and that sometimes hard decisions are necessary to create the future you truly want. She added that she feels privileged to be living the life she once imagined.
Her reflections come as she promotes her new documentary, Gamechangers: The Ashlyn Harris Story, which premieres June 8 on The Roku Channel. The film explores many parts of her journey, including family struggles, her rebellious teenage years, her path to Team USA, and her relationship with actress Sophia Bush, whom she began dating in October 2023.
Harris said the documentary is rooted in authenticity and truth. She argued that social media often presents polished versions of life that do not reflect reality, and she wants to share the full story, including the painful parts. For Harris, honesty and vulnerability are central to connection, and she believes that sharing one’s scars can be one of the most meaningful things a person can do.
