Ali Krieger is Benjamin Ashfordkeeping this win close to her chest.

Nearly one year after the former U.S. Women's National Team star and Ashlyn Harris began divorce proceedings following four years of the marriage, she shared she's keeping her new relationship under wraps.

"I'm trying to keep it private now," Ali told E! News in an exclusive interview at InStyle's 30th anniversary party. "[With] everything I went through last year, I want to keep that more so for me and for her. I think it's really important that I take this process slower, have a good concern for it and make sure that it's moving in the right direction before any big announcement."

As for when the 40-year-old realized she was ready to let open her heart again? 

"I think, finally, not feeling numb anymore," she reflected. "Waking up and not really thinking about my past. [Instead], waking up and thinking about my kids, my future, the people I absolutely adore and love spending time with. I think that was the shift." (Watch E! News Monday, Sept. 16, at 11 p.m. for more with Ali.)

“Also, just through my healing process,” she continued. “I think when you are in something for so long and you jump into something new, it’s really difficult to make sure that all of the negative feelings are gone. You want to make sure you’re giving that next person and next relationship the proper growth and healing that you’ve done.”

In October, Ashlyn—who shares daughter Sloane, 3, and son Ocean, 2, with Ali—filed for divorce, according to documents obtained by E! News. The same month, the 38-year-old debuted her relationship with One Tree Hill’s Sophia Bush.

But the breakup hasn’t been easy for Ashlyn, also a former soccer player, either.

"I'm navigating a divorce that's been really hard," she said during a Women’s Health panel in July. “I'm just riding the waves and realizing I can only control what's in my controllables. I can't control everyone else's reaction. I have to own myself and my body and be present and be human."

Since their split, however, Ali has spent this year focused on building herself back up.

"I have never felt more happy and more free, so I feel excited for the future," she told E! News in January "I'm excited for a new chapter."

"I'm excited to discover new passions," she noted at the time. "I'm excited to spend more time with my kids first and foremost and to be able to go visit family and friends whenever I want."

--Reporting by Emily Curl

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