US women’s soccer players Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris announce adoption of daughter

‘Welcome to the family Sloane, we are so in love with you already,’ Krieger wrote of couple’s first child

Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger announce adoption of newborn daughter (Getty Images for Dior)

National women’s soccer league stars Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have announced they have adopted a baby girl named Sloane.

On Monday, Krieger shared the news of the couple’s growing family on Instagram, where she posted three photos of herself and her wife Harris holding the newborn and taking her home from the hospital.

In the caption, the 36-year-old revealed that Sloane had been born on 12 February before sharing an emotional statement dedicated to the baby’s birth mother.

She wrote: “Dear Birth Mom... Our promise to you: We promise Sloane will be loved every single day by us, our friends and our family. We promise to give her the tools to live a happy, successful life of inclusivity and support.

“We promise to share her adoption story with her from the very beginning and celebrate every milestone! We promise to encourage her to follow her dreams no matter how big or small.”

In the sentimental post, Krieger also expressed the couple’s promise to be “open-minded” and respect the wishes of their daughter’s birth mother, as well as their promise that “she will always know how much you love her!”

Krieger then spoke directly to Sloane and Harris, writing: ““Welcome to our family, Sloane Phillips... we are so in love with you already! This has been one of the most beautiful yet stressful processes I’ve ever experienced with you, @ashlynharris24 and I love you even more throughout this journey, if that’s even possible.

“When we first dated, we always spoke about adoption and always wanted to give a child a loving, happy and stable home. I cannot wait to give her the world and be the best Mom I can be with you right by my side.”

On Harris’ Instagram, she also shared a post dedicated to the couple’s newest addition, where she reposted the same promise to their daughter’s birth mother before explaining that her heart is “exploding with joy”.

“All of the ups and downs, tears, stress and anxiety was worth it to have this beautiful blessing in our arms,” Harris wrote in a portion of the caption dedicated to her wife. “We are building what we’ve always dreamt of. You both are my everything and I promise to always do right by the both of you. I love you so much.”

The soccer star also expressed her gratitude towards their “wonderful family, friends, agency, teammates and coaches” for the support she and Krieger received throughout the adoption process.

Harris then dedicated a portion of the post to other families of adopted children, in which she acknowledged how difficult the process can be.

“Wow, we see you. Whew, this has been a very stressful process. I’m hopeful to tell our story one day but for now... we can breathe again,” she wrote.

The news of the couple’s first child prompted an outpouring of supportive messages, with team members and fans sharing their congratulatory wishes.

“My heart. I love all three of you both so much and welcome mamas! You’re here now,” soccer playerSydney Leroux wrote, while Kealia Watt commented: “Omg. Congratulations, I am so excited for you guys.”

Megan Rapinoe also shared her well-wishes, writing: “Sissies so proud of you and happy for you. Your family is so beautiful.”

The couple, who play for Orlando Pride and began dating in 2010, married in an intimate ceremony in Miami, Florida, in December 2019.