Ashlyn Harris and ex-wife Ali Krieger aren’t hanging out any time soon, but they have a mutual respect for one another.
“It’s definitely a grieving process,” Harris, 39, said during an appearance on Rachel Bilson’s “Broad Ideas” podcast on Monday, March 3. “I will say this. … I will not allow people to speak — in my home or in my presence or around my children — ill about my ex-wife or our relationship.”
Us Weekly confirmed in December 2024 that Harris and Krieger, 40, had finalized their divorce. The former couple has split custody of their kids, Sloane and Ocean, whom they adopted in 2021 and 2022, respectively. (Harris has since moved on with Sophia Bush while Krieger is dating Jen Beattie.)
“I will have that conversation with my children, eventually, and let them know happy people don’t leave happy marriages. They just don’t,” Harris said during the podcast episode. “You don’t just wake up all of a sudden one morning and say, ‘Well, this is the day, I’m over it.’ There is a process and there is a grieving component of thinking about this, but it’s a very, very scary decision.”
USWNT’s Ashlyn Harris Says She Didn’t ‘Step Out’ on Ali Krieger Marriage
Us confirmed that Harris was the first to file for divorce in September 2023, referring to the marriage as “irretrievably broken.” Kreiger submitted her own paperwork in December of that year.
“I don’t think that grief ever really ends in a way,” Harris said of the divorce. “I say this all the time, like, I love my ex-wife. I fell in love with her for a reason. She was a wonderful — she is a wonderful person. It’s just sometimes things don’t work out and that is OK.”
Keep scrolling to read Harris’ biggest revelations about her split from Krieger:
Feeling the Pain of the Split
Harris referred to her divorce from Krieger as “the hardest season of my life.” She explained that there was “so much grief” and “so much pain” during the breakup.
“I also think it’s important to humanize grief and pain, especially for our children,” she added. “I don’t want to always show up and pretend I’m OK to my kids because I don’t want them to do that to their friends, to their partners, to me and their mom.”
Harris went on to say that experiencing the grief and “rebuilding process” has been the hardest part thus far.
“It’s a hard, brave decision to walk away from something that you expected to be one way. But it didn’t turn out to be that way,” she added.
A Coparenting Update
Harris referred to herself and Krieger as “good moms” to their two kids.
“I never want my kids to ever feel like they have to choose, and I always want them to feel safe and open to be able to go to any place and not feel like they have to choose sides,” Harris explained, noting that she will talk about Krieger to Sloane and Ocean.
Where They Stand Now
“I wouldn’t say we have a great relationship. I think we have a deep, deep, deep level of love and respect,” Harris explained. “We’re just not there yet. But regardless, I think we will get there. I think we have a lot of scars and still a lot of pain and hurt.”
Soccer Stars Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger’s Relationship Timeline
Harris said that she and Krieger not in a “perfect place” and even joked about what would happen if they were in the same room.
“I’m sure if my ex-wife was sitting next to me, she would have both hands around my neck. So, I highly doubt we’ll be there anytime soon,” Harris quipped. “I’m being funny, and I adore her. I think all I want for my ex-wife is to be happy and she’s in a new relationship that brings her a lot of joy.”
How Their Families Reacted to the Divorce
Similar to how she’s raising her kids, Harris made it clear that her family should not “pick sides” in the split.
“When we first split, I spoke to my entire family, and I put everyone in a group message. I was very, very clear that my personal life is my personal life, and you don’t have to agree with things, or you can be mad and angry. However, you will support us as a family because that won’t change,” Harris said. “I will not allow you to chime in on any Instagram, anything that is liking comments that may hurt her or her family. You will be supportive. You will keep liking and commenting like we’re a family.”
