Ashlyn Harris and Sophia Bush Insist They Were Initially ‘Just Friends’

On Thursday, sources attempted to do damage control for retired U.S. Women’s National Team goalie Ashlyn Harris and actress/soccer club investor Sophia Bush’s budding relationship.

“Sophia and Ashlyn insist they were just friends, but by all accounts, it was instant chemistry,” an anonymous source told Us Weekly, insisting that the pair did not cheat.

Harris and Bush apparently first met at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June where “sparks flew,” the source said. The two “bonded over their breakups and having to start over,” according to the source, which, yes, is a very natural way to build a relationship. Two people unmoored, trying to figure things out together? Fine!

“It’s only been a couple of weeks since their first official date, but things already feel really natural between them,” the source continued. “They love being together. They love sports and want to do good in the world.”

Bush’s marriage of 13 months ended in August when she filed for divorce from businessman Grant Hughes, joining the ranks of celebrity marriages going belly up this summer. Harris filed for divorce from U.S. Women’s National Team star Ali Krieger in September. After their divorce was announced, an insider told People that “Ashlyn and Ali’s divorce began months ago and they have been living apart since the summer.”

That didn’t stop Harris from announcing it right before Krieger’s final regular game of the season, causing Krieger to pull out of press conferences so as not to deal with awkward questions about her pending divorce instead of her historic career.

Because of that petty move, I’m not sure if it really matters when the Bush-Harris relationship began because Harris will be fighting cheating rumors likely forever. Especially since Krieger posted that she’s now in her “Beyoncé Lemonade Era” on Instagram.

On top of that, the pair’s final NWSL team NJ/NY Gotham FC was already selling “ALI KRIEGER FAN CLUB” t-shirts before the divorce news became public to celebrate Krieger’s last season with the team. (Harris retired from the club last season.) Basketball legend Sue Bird wore one court-side on national television to a WNBA finals match while Krieger’s final regular season home game occurred across town.

Krieger has already won the PR war, while Harris will have to continue to play catchup. If you didn’t cheat, don’t let the haters get to you, Harris! And don’t send your anonymous sources to Us Weekly.