U.S. women seeking new opponents after dispute with players forces Australia to abandon tour

United States Soccer Federation said Thursday it was seeking to find new opponents to play friendlies against its womens team after Australia pulled out of an upcoming tour.

U.S. Soccer said in a statement fixtures scheduled for September 17 and 20 in Detroit and Birmingham would go ahead with different opposition.

“Despite Australia no longer being the opponent, that does not mean the matches are cancelled,” the statement said.

The federation said it had already begun sounding out different federations as soon as it became clear the Australia matches might be in jeopardy.

“We have been in communication with other federations about their women’s national team serving as a replacement for both games,” the statement said. “Those discussions are ongoing and we hope to have an agreement finalized soon.”

Australia pulled out of the tour as a result of the ongoing labor dispute that leaves the federation without a bargaining agreement with its players. A late attempt to salvage the tour proved unsuccessful as the players union declined to agree to a tour agreement in lieu of a broader deal.

SEE MORE: U.S. women’s national team coach Jill Ellis agrees to multi-year extension.

“The players are currently uncontracted and are under no obligation to participate in any Matildas related activities,” said Adam Vivian, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Australia.

“The players feel they have been left with no option other than to take this course of action.”