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Ashlyn Harris Shares Her Game-Winning Advice for World Cup 2026 Athletes
Ashlyn Harris knows her way around a World Cup victory.
And that’s why the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion had the best advice for the U.S. men’s soccer team—who defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match June 12—as they continue to compete on the worldwide stage.
“This is not something that comes every day. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Harris exclusively told E! News in a joint interview with girlfriend Sophia Bush at the One Party by Uber June 12. “You can hit the jackpot and train your whole life for this one moment—just enjoy it.”
Considering the U.S. is among the host nations—sharing the role with Mexico and Canada—the goalkeeper wants the USMNT guys to keep the honor in perspective.
“There’s a lot of expectations that come from a world cup,” she added. “I just hope our men enjoy every moment of it because it’s home soil. And you have so many people here rooting for you and cheering for you. I hope they feel supported and proud.”
Beyond soccer success tips, Harris—who has been dating the One Tree Hill actress since 2023—also shared her best secrets to winning in the love department, especially in the midst of Pride Month.
“The greatest thing we can do is live our love out loud,” the retired soccer star—mom to Sloane, 5, and Ocean, 3 with ex-wife Ali Kreiger—said. “We’re just choosing joy right now in a climate that doesn’t always show up and support us or value us.”
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Uber
“We have to choose love,” she added. “And visibility is so important for our community. So, we have to keep showing up, keep doing things like this, proving that we’re not going anywhere and no one’s taking our joy and light.”
And Bush echoed the sentiment.
“Being a person who has always tried to keep my private life somewhat private, you realize that the louder and prouder you are the more people you inspire,” she explained, “the more people who might be seen.”
She added, “You realize what an incredibly powerful opportunity it is to be able to love your person out loud.”
As Harris and Bush cheer on Team USA in the world cup, take a look at who to know from the USMNT.
U.S. Soccer
Christian Pulisic
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Height: 5’ 10”
Hometown: Hershey, Pa.
Current Soccer Club: AC Milan (Italy)
U.S. Soccer
Weston McKennie
Position: Midfielder
Age: 28
Height: 6’ 1”
Hometown: Little Elm, Texas
Current Soccer Club: Juventus (Italy)
U.S. Soccer
Gio Reyna
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23
Height: 6’ 1”
Hometown: Bedford, N.Y.
Current Soccer Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)
U.S. Soccer
Tyler Adams
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Height: 5’ 9”
Hometown: Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
Current Soccer Club: AFC Bournemouth (England)
U.S. Soccer
Chris Brady
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 22
Height: 6’ 3”
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
Current Soccer Club: Chicago Fire
U.S. Soccer
Max Arfsten
Position: Defender
Age: 25
Height: 6’ 1”
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Current Soccer Club: Columbus Crew
U.S. Soccer
Sergino Dest
Position: Defender
Age: 25
Height: 5’ 8”
Hometown: Almere, Netherlands
Current Soccer Club: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
U.S. Soccer
Alex Freeman
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Height: 6’ 2”
Hometown: Plantation, Fla.
Current Soccer Club: Villarreal CF (Spain)
U.S. Soccer
Mark McKenzie
Position: Defender
Age: 27
Height: 6’ 0”
Hometown: Bear, Del.
Current Soccer Club: Toulouse FC (France)
U.S. Soccer
Tim Ream
Position: Defender
Age: 38
Height: 6’ 1”
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Current Soccer Club: Charlotte FC
U.S. Soccer
Chris Richards
Position: Defender
Age: 26
Height: 6’ 2”
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Current Soccer Club: Crystal Palace (England)
U.S. Soccer
Antonee Robinson
Position: Defender
Age: 29
Height: 6’ 0”
Hometown: Liverpool, England
Current Soccer Club: Fulham (England)
U.S. Soccer
Miles Robinson
Position: Defender
Age: 29
Height: 6’ 2”
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
Current Soccer Club: FC Cincinnati
U.S. Soccer
Joe Scally
Position: Defender
Age: 23
Height: 6’ 0”
Hometown: Lake Grove, N.Y.
Current Soccer Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany)
U.S. Soccer
Auston Trusty
Position: Defender
Age: 27
Height: 6’ 3”
Hometown: Media, Pa.
Current Soccer Club: Celtic FC (Scotland)
U.S. Soccer
Sebastian Berhalter
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Height: 5’ 9”
Hometown: London, England
Current Soccer Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Canada)
U.S. Soccer
Cristian Roldan
Position: Midfielder
Age: 31
Height: 5’ 8”
Hometown: Pico Rivera, Calif.
Current Soccer Club: Seattle Sounders FC
U.S. Soccer
Malik Tillman
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Height: 6’ 2”
Hometown: Furth, Germany
Current Soccer Club: Leverkusen (Germany)
U.S. Soccer
Brenden Aaronson
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Height: 5’ 10”
Hometown: Medford, N.J.
Current Soccer Club: Leeds United FC (England)
U.S. Soccer
Folarin Balogun
Position: Forward
Age: 24
Height: 5’ 10”
Hometown: London, England
Current Soccer Club: AS Monaco FC (France)
U.S. Soccer
Ricardo Pepi
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Height: 6’ 1”
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Current Soccer Club: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
U.S. Soccer
Tim Weah
Position: Forward
Age: 26
Height: 6’ 0”
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Current Soccer Club: Olympique de Marseille (France)
U.S. Soccer
Haji Wright
Position: Forward
Age: 28
Height: 6’ 3”
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Current Soccer Club: Coventry City FC (England)
U.S. Soccer
Alejandro "Alex" Zendejas
Position: Forward
Age: 28
Height: 5’ 6”
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Current Soccer Club: Club America (Mexico)
U.S. Soccer
Matt Freese
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 27
Height: 6’ 3”
Hometown: Wayne, Pa.
Current Soccer Club: New York City FC
U.S. Soccer
Matt Turner
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 31
Height: 6’ 3”
Hometown: Park Ridge, N.J.
Current Soccer Club: New England Revolution
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