The once solid union between former U.S. women’s national team goalie Ashlyn Harris and defender Ali Krieger has hit a rocky patch, marked by a divorce that has taken an unpleasant turn, as divorces often do.
In response to swirling rumors about infidelity, Harris has decided to break her silence on the matter, vehemently denying any claims of unfaithfulness.
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She emphasized that she and her ex-wife are navigating through the complexities of their divorce, a process that has been exacerbated by the intrusion of social media trolls.
Harris revealed the distressing experience of facing online harassment, including messages encouraging her to “commit suicide” and the circulation of “cruel words” directed at her children.
What did Ashlyn Harris say?
In an emotionally charged Instagram post, Harris made clear that rumors about infidelity were untrue.
“Several weeks ago, a process that had been ongoing privately for some time became public,” she posted.
“Ending a relationship after almost 13 years of friendship, teammate-ship, marriage, and co-parenting (many of them good years) is a decision that was not made lightly.
“We agreed to center our children, continue therapy, separate, and to move forward with our lives. Two happy families are always better than one unhappy one. This process is never easy, but we were making our way through.
“While I understand that the false narratives about why might feel juicier or make a better headline, they are simply not true. Let me be clear: I did not step out on my marriage.”
The public became aware of Harris’s divorce filing in September, signaling the end of their four-year marriage. The soccer power couple, who initially crossed paths while playing for the USWNT in 2010, exchanged vows in December 2019 and are parents to two young children, Sloane, 2, and Ocean, 14 months.
Following the divorce filing, speculation arose regarding Harris’s romantic involvement with actress Sophia Bush, although Harris has yet to confirm any relationship with the One Tree Hill alum.
In the wake of the divorce announcement, both Harris and Krieger opted for a private approach, intending to keep their separation confidential until the conclusion of Krieger’s soccer season.
Unfortunately, their desire for discretion was thwarted when news of the divorce leaked prematurely, leading Harris to describe the situation as “a betrayal of our deepest confidence.”
The unfolding saga highlights the challenges of navigating personal matters in the public eye, especially when complicated by online harassment and invasive rumors.